Sunday, May 16, 2004
Graduation Day, Part 2
We got up very early and checked the weather. The night before there were thunderstorms and constant rain in varying amounts per minute. The weather channel told us before bedding down that the entire eastern seaboard would be solid rain. Donna gave me the hotline number to call to see whether they would go with the outdoor graduation or change to a smaller, inside ceremony.
I called and it was on. I looked out to see a wall of fog and nothing else but the cars close by in the lot. We went prepared for anything. We arrived at about 7:45 A. M. and were one of the first waiting to go on the field. There were thousands of white chairs being wiped down by an army of staff. We stood and waited to go on the field with the others that arrived early. We were among the first. While waiting a guy in a beard and shorts pedeled by us on a mountain bike. The lady keeping us there told him to stop but he just replied that he was a professor. One of the people waiting with us said, "Well, I'm a father!"
We were finally given the signal to find our seats and went out quickly to get a place near where Damon would sit. Mom and John joined us later. it began to get hot. We had come prepared with cold water, but the college had provided water for all the graduates by putting a bottle under their chair and the spectors by handing it out to them. Donna put on a beautiful straw hat with a black bow and I put on my hat with sunblock. We waited. Girls there took off their shoes and obviously wore no sun protection by the red look of their skin after the ceremony was over. The band warmed up as did the choir. Soon we heard the band play the prelude music which sounded like Anthony Holborne, a Renaissance English composed arranged for brass choir. People began to rush to the edge of the track to see the graduates process across the covered bridge to the field.
It was a sight to behold; the long line of black robes. We waited and watched. We took pictures and saw Damon come down the aisle finally behind the "English" school banner. Eventually all the graduates came in and sat after a prayer. It began to get hot and some of the girls took off their gowns to reveal strapless dresses and a lot of leg.
The speeches and presentations were good as was the music. We finally saw Damon walk across the stage and receive his diploma (blank) from Dr. Sawatsky, the dying Messiah President, who is retiring to Canada with his wife to die of reoccurant brain tumors. He received great respect and applause from the seniors.
We finally left with Damon and met some of his classmates and friends at the field where the refreshments were served. We parted from Mom & John and began the ugly task of packing Damon up and getting out of Messiah for the last time.
Donna and I didn't have time to reflect about the happennings until we drove home. Then we reflected about the sacrifices, the stoies, the money problems, the girl friends, etc., etc.
Another milestone has been passed in his life and thus our own.
I called and it was on. I looked out to see a wall of fog and nothing else but the cars close by in the lot. We went prepared for anything. We arrived at about 7:45 A. M. and were one of the first waiting to go on the field. There were thousands of white chairs being wiped down by an army of staff. We stood and waited to go on the field with the others that arrived early. We were among the first. While waiting a guy in a beard and shorts pedeled by us on a mountain bike. The lady keeping us there told him to stop but he just replied that he was a professor. One of the people waiting with us said, "Well, I'm a father!"
We were finally given the signal to find our seats and went out quickly to get a place near where Damon would sit. Mom and John joined us later. it began to get hot. We had come prepared with cold water, but the college had provided water for all the graduates by putting a bottle under their chair and the spectors by handing it out to them. Donna put on a beautiful straw hat with a black bow and I put on my hat with sunblock. We waited. Girls there took off their shoes and obviously wore no sun protection by the red look of their skin after the ceremony was over. The band warmed up as did the choir. Soon we heard the band play the prelude music which sounded like Anthony Holborne, a Renaissance English composed arranged for brass choir. People began to rush to the edge of the track to see the graduates process across the covered bridge to the field.
It was a sight to behold; the long line of black robes. We waited and watched. We took pictures and saw Damon come down the aisle finally behind the "English" school banner. Eventually all the graduates came in and sat after a prayer. It began to get hot and some of the girls took off their gowns to reveal strapless dresses and a lot of leg.
The speeches and presentations were good as was the music. We finally saw Damon walk across the stage and receive his diploma (blank) from Dr. Sawatsky, the dying Messiah President, who is retiring to Canada with his wife to die of reoccurant brain tumors. He received great respect and applause from the seniors.
We finally left with Damon and met some of his classmates and friends at the field where the refreshments were served. We parted from Mom & John and began the ugly task of packing Damon up and getting out of Messiah for the last time.
Donna and I didn't have time to reflect about the happennings until we drove home. Then we reflected about the sacrifices, the stoies, the money problems, the girl friends, etc., etc.
Another milestone has been passed in his life and thus our own.
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