Smarties

I just had to post this photo of some of the graduates at our celebration. They are all so awesome... so full of hope and promise and fun (and silliness too).

Up & Down & All Around

Observation: Strong emotions wear me out. I feel like I am on a major emotional roller coaster ride this week. It’s my baby’s graduation. I just returned home from the senior recognition ceremony. I had high energy for the last day in anticipation and now that it’s over, I’m exhausted. I’ve laughed and I’ve cried and now I think I’ll sleep. Oh - that comes after Friday’s official ceremony. We are going to take off and stay on the beach for a few days to celebrate rest and I am psyched about that.

Our church honored seniors on Sunday and the sermon really spoke to me. Pastor spoke on “New Beginnings” and their significance. I see this as a major new beginning for me… come August, it will be the first time in 27 years I am not directly responsible for the welfare of a child. Now that is something to ponder.

Pomp & Circumstance

I witnessed both pomp & interesting circumstances yesterday at the commencement exercises for the FSU class of 2008. Our daughter-in-law-to-be received her specialist degree. She got to wear the doctoral robe and all that special gear and I loved it. My mom graduated from FSU in 1949 and when we celebrated our daughter’s graduation with a bachelor’s and then a master’s degree from FSU it was very special. My dad also earned 2 degrees from FSU. So there’s some history and sentiment here.

It was with dismay that I listened to the commencement speaker’s address. He got my attention when early into his remarks he brought up “The Audacity of Hope”. I wishfully anticipated that he was going to build on a beautiful concept and address the graduates on the power of faith and hope. Instead, he started a rapid downhill slide when he used the platform to plug his political candidate. He did ask one thought-provoking question: “What are you going to do with rejection in your life?” Unfortunately, he didn’t take the opportunity to instruct or encourage.

I was sad for the graduates who deserved all the honor, encouragement and respect on that special day. I have now added to my list of “books I want to write” one based on basic speaker protocol. As a speaker, I came away with a starter list of cardinal rules to incorporate into the book:

Always honor the time limitations set by the program planner. It is extremely rude to thumb your nose at the clock.

Your audience is your reason for being there. It is not about you. It is an opportunity to speak into their lives, not a platform to glorify yourself.

It is an honor to be a speaker, not a right. Respect for the audience is essential. It's insolence when you don’t display that.

Hats off to the largest graduating class in the history of this wonderful college!
Nothing can mar the victory of your remarkable accomplishment.

(I’m tempted to send this review to the University president. Should I do it?)