Operation Graduation Parade

Nineteen years have passed since I walked across the stage at high school graduation.  It was a big deal to me.  My family came from all around to celebrate the day with me.  My church family arrived in the stands with a big sign.  They cheered me on and made the day even more special.  At the end of the ceremony, we all gathered in a big circle and tossed our caps.  Let me be honest.  I threw mine just a little and then caught it.  The night marked the ending of my public school education and the beginning of instruction taught by the school of life.  The class of 2020 is having a completely different experience.

They have missed out on many of the senior year experiences that we all look forward to.  No prom.  No baccalaureate. No senior skip day (or you could call this the longest senior skip day in history).  No formal graduation ceremony with all their friends and family.  A real tragedy.  So many kids are the first ones in their families to make it through high school and get a diploma.  Although they do get to graduate without the ceremony, the graduation ceremony is a highlight for many people.

My cousin is one of the 2020 seniors.  Since Bible Study Cousin and I are planners, we consulted with him at Thanksgiving (or Christmas…can’t be sure which it was).  We asked him his thoughts about his graduation party.  We wanted to know if there was anything special that he wanted to happen.  You know what this jive turkey said?  He said family was not invited to his graduation party.  We would mess up the vibe.  Then he pointed out all the cool cousins that would be granted access at the door.  Let me just tell you, they were NOT the cool cousins.

Even though he deemed us geriatric, we still planned to celebrate with him.  It’s what we do.  As the COVID-19 epidemic continued, it became clear that his graduation ceremony was not going to happen.  Bible Study Cousin suggested a surprise drive by graduation celebration parade.  She got to work on logistics.  I pulled out the posters and markers.  Operation Graduation Parade was a go.

We gathered together on the school parking lot to line up.  We walked up and down the row making sure that every car had decorations, and then we were off.  I’ve told you before that people in our family can’t hold water.  So the cat was out of the bag before we ever got there, BUT he had an amazing time.  I think we all did.  We got to celebrate him and see each other.  I think this is the longest that we’ve ever gone without physically gathering together in one place.

Life is funny like that.  We take simple things for granted.  I couldn’t have ever imagined a world where high school graduations were cancelled nationwide.  I’m thankful that we still had the opportunity to celebrate our senior.  I am learning to appreciate more and more moments.  Hopefully, you can come out of quarantine with more clarity about what is important.  I know that I certainly am.  #wepreach