Published: May 16, 2008 11:03 am            

Kandace's Korner: Big day for seniors

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

This weekend marks the first of many graduation ceremonies across the county. I, as I’m sure many others are, am praying Nature accomodates us all and leaves us dry. However, no matter how nice the weather may try to be this weekend, it won’t stop all the leaking eyes as our children celebrate one of their first major milestones.

I’ll be bawling tomorrow night, there’s no help for it, when Justin walks across the stage to receive his high school diploma, and takes that next step into adulthood. It just doesn’t seem fair. Two weekends ago, I nearly bubbled over because he turned 18 and was officially the new owner of the same car Rodney and I dated in. The exact same car we brought Justin home from the hospital in when he was born, and now will no doubt wish to drive tomorrow night.

This will be the first of many milestones I’m sure he and his classmates will reach. And before I waterlog my keyboard, and in the spirit of giving advice, I offer these famous quotes to the Class of 2008:

“The trouble with learning from experience is that you never graduate. — Doug Larson

“It is indeed ironic that we spend our school days yearning to graduate and our remaining days waxing nostalgic about our school days.” — Isabel Waxman

“There is a good reason they call these ceremonies "commencement exercises." Graduation is not the end; it's the beginning.” — Orrin Hatch

“Your families are extremely proud of you. You can't imagine the sense of relief they are experiencing. This would be a most opportune time to ask for money.” — Gary Bolding

“Academe, n.: An ancient school where morality and philosophy were taught. Academy, n.: A modern school where football is taught.” — Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary

“Graduation speeches were invented largely in the belief that college students should never be released into the world until they have been properly sedated.” — Garry Trudeau

Naturally, I had to throw in a few humorous quotes. And rather than throw in a nostalgic rambling of the day I graduated, I’d rather wish this year’s Class of 2008 best wishes. It will be a difficult road to follow now for many graduates, and without going any further into Robert Frost’s poem, I’m sure they’re also aware of the decisions they’ll have to make regarding their future.

We just have to make sure to be there along the way to help them along, should they need it.

        

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