Graduation Night

Well, tonight is the Big Night – the night my little Miss Katie graduates from high school. All together now... Awwww. Wasn't it just yesterday I was packing her onto a school bus for the first time?

Anyway, it’s the day that the Lovely Mrs. G. and I weren’t so sure we were ever going to see – in between all the fights over homework, the begging that assignments actually be turned in on time (a novel idea, ain’t it?), and the running back and forth, back and forth, and back and forth to play practice, choir practice, band concerts, parent/teacher meetings, shows, musicals, and God knows what else, it seems that the last four years have been incredibly long, and would never end.

But that’s not the case any longer. Tonight, she’ll be officially diploma’ed, and ready for whatever the world tosses her way next. We hope.

I remember my high school graduation way back in 1983 – Seattle used the old Seattle Center arena for all of the cities graduation ceremonies, but because there were so many schools in town that needed to push their students out that week, they stacked up the ceremonies on top of each other.

The night we graduated, we were the first of 3 high schools to go. The Big Show started promptly at 5:30, and we were out of there by 7:00. No time to stop and chat – hurry, hurry, read the names, play Pomp & Circumstance really quickly, then move on out – Cleveland High is waiting to come in.

I don’t remember much about the keynote speech or the other speeches, other than due to the lack of time they had to be mighty short. A few people were wiseasses when accepting their faux diploma (a rolled up piece of paper that said “Class of '84 rules, suckers!”, made by some jealous junior), but I was a good boy – I was more worried about falling off the stage and landing on our crappy 6-piece orchestra.

But that night we all went out and had pizza, then shot off some highly illegal fireworks we’d scored somewhere, which was fun until the neighbors called the cops.

But tonight is in honor of Miss Katie – a young woman whom I’m mighty proud of. She’s achieved a lot in these past four years, and has grown tremendously as a person. I love that kid a lot, and I’m glad to see her accept her accolades.

Oh, and I thought I’d also show this picture, of a certain black cat that hates not being the center of attention. Maybe he’s graduating to the next level of crankiness. (Not like Jack doesn't already have a PHD in being pissy...)

Congrats, Katie. You’re a SUPERSTAR.