Winter Commencement

It used to be that you could rent your academic regalia for a reasonable fee, keep it all year, wear it for the three events that require it, then turn it back in for a good cleaning. Not so any more. The fee is up and you have to turn it in at the end of each event, paying each time you rent the darn thing.

In a year's time, the money would cover buying my own. That's what I decided to do. But do you think I could manage to get it in time for the winter commencement? No. So I refrained from marching. This time, I got a ticket and sat in the audience. There were about a dozen people I know who were graduating, and I wanted to wish them well.

I managed to find a place right by the aisle where students return to their seats after crossing the platform. I planned to just step out and say my congrats as they passed even though I wasn't with the rest of the faculty. It was enlightening to be surrounded by so much parental pride, not to mention spouses and children. You could almost feel the room bursting with expectation.

I love it when an entire section stands and cheers when their graduate's name is called. Flashes of cameras abounded. Good will ran high and no one minded the occasional baby's cry. Everyone was dressed all up in suits and silky dresses and coiffed to the nines. People treated each other with respect and consideration. Wow. I wanted to capture the ambiance for future use.

As I stepped out repeatedly, the gentleman next to me was amazed. He finally asked me how I knew so many graduates. When I explained that I worked in the Library and that many of the graduates had worked there, he was impressed that I would take the time to come and wish them well. I smiled and never mentioned my faculty status.

Truth is, I would go anyway whether I was expected to or not. We have little enough cause for joyous celebration in our lives. We should jump at the chance to be part of such happiness and good even if only tangential to ourselves.