graduation events......

ok, so yesterday was consumed with a series of graduation events......the awards in the afternoon was put on by nhs.....and went so smoothly as to be at least 45 minutes faster than last year....our child received an art award........as well as recognition for a successful academic team year.....and then back home to busy ourselves whilst waiting for the bacalaureate (sp...) that took place in the same space in the evening.....some effort was made to make the event ecumenical, such as the reading from the b'hai faith....but mostly it was a thinly cloaked church service....entertaining to me in that we sat in front of a large extended black family who behaved like they were in church.....with lots of vocal interjections......i loved it....and when the last songster got up to sing they went wild....for good reason, because this fellow could sing......his eye is on the sparrow, and i know he watches me....a great gospel song......i felt that the singer could have really let loose with a truly righteous rendition of the song, but he restrained the performance out of respect for those in the audience who are unfamiliar with the way things are done in black churches......ah well....it was a fine moment.....and i saw my friend gayle, who also has a graduate this year........and i was reminded that others with graduates will be in the child raising business much longer than us.......i had forgotten about the family that adopted from china a few years back......their child may be in the 1st grade.....wow.......i will put them on my prayer list........and we heard the first of many graduation-style speeches......i especially liked the preacher who gave the 'sermon'....and who said that the first half of our lives is ruint by our parents and the second half is ruint by our children........i say amen to that......but he did go on to give good advice and food for thought to those about to leave the shelter of high school and venture out into the real world........this will be a tough week......i know that i am not ready for our graduate to venture out...