Graduation

This may be long, but worth the time spent to read it.
Last night I attended graduation for our local High School. You might be surprised to know that it was an absolutly wonderful evening. Wonderful tributes were given to two teachers who are retiring. One of the students speaking quoted from a speech given at the first graduation in 1909. This was the 100th graduating class. Hearing the history of our High School was really interesting. Research had been done, and one descendant of that first graduating class was found. He was in attendance along with his wife and childre, and a few grandchildren. As it turned out, this man had never graduated from High School. He was among the thousands of young men in the early 40's who left school to join the service. His choice had been the Navy. So, last night he was awarded an Honorary Diploma. 83 years old, and you would think he had been handed a million dollars. It was a wonderful occasion. And I think it was made more appropriate by the 2 young men graduating wearing Full Dress Blues of the Marine Corps. Do we really appriciate the sacrifice of those who have (and do) serve our country. Where would this world be without them. As I watched last night I was filled with gratitude. I also watched the brother of one of those two new Marines. The brothers had enlisted together and both were in Full Dress Uniform. We have watched both of these young men grow up. The older brother spent alot of time in our home when he was in our Joy School group. I have watched him go from pre school, through grade school, middle school and on to high school. During the latter he sported dredlocks most of the time. He made his own way. And last night, he stood there to honor his brother. I was moved. A new group of young men and young women are begining on a new part of their lives. I only hope they remember the qoute given last night. I believe it was Mother Theresa that said "This life is not a time to find yourself, this life is a time to make yourself." I hope I got those words right, because life truely is what you make it.