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Graduation Style

By: Marilyn Andersen Spring has sprung, and that means one thing - Graduations! This ceremony was once reserved for high school and college graduates. And the ceremonies themselves were often quite long and formal. But now, they are in every school and for every age. The caps and gowns are being prepared as students say good bye to an old era and hello to a new one.

It starts with preschool graduations. These have become more common in the past several years. My own preschool graduation was nothing formal. We simply had a picnic in the local park. My younger brother, however, had a more "traditional" graduation ceremony - complete with a construction paper cap and diploma that he made himself. This ceremony was very special to my family, as he had been a preschool dropout the year before. (Life without mommy is tough when you're three!)

I have a daughter who will be graduating from elementary school soon and moving into middle school. Unfortunately both schools are in the same building so there isn't actually a graduation planned by the school. But she's changing - all grown up as she thinks of herself. No more play dates for her - she's setting her sights on trips to the mall and movies with her gal pals. While I enjoy seeing her grow up, I miss the innocent child that is left behind.

When I graduated from high school I was not really aware of just how big a change was ahead of me. I naively thought I'd keep all my old friends - even those who were not moving onto college with me - and just figured I might make a few new ones. Boy was I wrong on that count! But I did enjoy that event with all the fantastic gifts and attention. I felt so grown up.

And the most formal of all are the college and post-graduate graduations. I suppose that's fitting since these degrees require the most dedication and sacrifice on the part of the students. Remember my little brother - the preschool dropout? He has since earned is doctorate degree and now wears a beautiful gown and hood as he attends graduations at the university where he is a professor. Who would have thought that would happen?

Whether it's your child or a niece or nephew or even grandchild, participate in all of their graduations. Each will etch a strong memory in his or her mind and be a momentous occasion for the rest of their lives.