What would you say if someone posed the question to you, “What is your greatest wish before you pass away from this earth?”
The question was posed to me many years ago, at a time when I had two young children to help raise. My immediate answer was, “I want to see my two children grow up to be successful in life.” Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of watching them grow and become productive citizens. Neither are perfect human beings, but neither are many of us, including me. I am proud of them.
As life has moved on, however, I have supplemented the question with other answers. Several years ago, my answer was, “I want to see my grandchildren graduate from high school and/or college.” Caleb graduated high school two years ago. I saw him walk across the stage at Bandy’s High School. This year I watched a livestream as my step-grandson, Noah, walked across the stage at Lenoir Community College. I am proud of them both.
On Friday evening, May 24, I had the pleasure of watching grandson Ian become my Graduate 3.0 during Graduation 3.0. But it was not as simple as the previous two graduations. For you see, the weather played havoc on graduation ceremonies at Bandys High School. But, why not?
The Graduating Class of 2024, of which Ian was a member, started their high school careers under the extreme measures gifted them by COVID-19. Face masks, home studies via livestream, frequent handwashing and, finally, when back in school endured more distancing from fellow students.
If you know Ian, you also know this is par for the course in his life. Nothing is ever smooth for the lanky senior who has a happy-go-lucky attitude and enjoys being the funny comic in his family. He was the kid who won a wrestling match in his junior year to go to the state wrestling championship in the 160-pound class, only to have lost it on the scoreboard because a scorekeeper put the two points he achieved on his opponent’s score. Did I say nothing is ever smooth for the kid?
Why would graduation night be any different?
My wife and I traveled to western North Carolina on Wednesday to attend. I’ve also prayed to be able to see my grandchildren graduate and to-date the Good Lord has allowed me to do so. His graciousness in that regard goes back 17 years ago last Memorial Day Monday when I had surgery to defeat kidney cancer. He has blessed me! We arrived at my daughter and son-in-law’s home on Wednesday, a day before the Thursday graduation.
Because of my leg issues which I have described in this column before, I had not visited my family in western North Carolina since Caleb’s graduation, two years ago. So, I was happy and thankful that my legs felt better than ever before and allowed me to travel. I took it easy Thursday during the day. My daughter, Karen, said we should leave for Bandy’s football stadium about 5:30 p.m. Before we left, she received word that there would be a 30-minute delay in the start of graduation from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thus, we didn’t leave for the stadium for the outdoor ceremony until 6 p.m.
We were able to get a prime parking spot and when the gates opened, we were able to find the seats we wanted. The rain that was supposed to be past Bandys high School at 7:30 p.m. had not come. It was still on the way! Boy did it come! The umbrellas we had were essentially useless. The rains wet all of us who stayed in the stadium. Even the lightning put on a bit of a show, making it such the principal had to warn us to evacuate the stadium. Some did. Many did not, including yours truly. I began wonder how stupid I was sitting in a torrential blowing rainstorm with the world lighting up on occasion. Graduation started at 9 p.m. under a rainless sky.
Despite being dripping wet from my chest down, I finally got the opportunity I’d prayed for. The senior class — and my grandson, Ian — walked across the stage at the call of their names and officially ended their secondary education. Ian gave a thumbs up a couple of times on his way back to seat. The senior class wanted their graduation outside. They did not want to delay it a day or to have it inside. They were determined to graduate that evening, and with the assistance of their principal and others, they kicked the storm square in the teeth and did it.
Just think, folks. I have a granddaughter who will graduate in 2028, four years from now. I’ve asked God to allow me the honor of being there for it. Graduation 4.0 without the fireworks and pouring rains, please, Lord?
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