The Night they brought "Old Dixie" down...

       Though as most of the people we were so lucky to be in the presence of, during one of those ceremonies we all as families, neighbors and friends simple find so full of pride as

an offspring comes to fruition of one of life's truly glorious and mystifying conclusions. Unlike a coming of age celebration, or a t-ball game, or a ballet recital or a confirmation, this 

cultural phenomenom of graduating from High School after years of being cajoled, harrassed and dissected by a cast of thousands, whether they be classmates, 

 parents or a supportive cast of renegade relatives, seems to be full of mirth, madness and ritualistic conundrums.  

      We were both so overjoyed and happy that we were included in both Sarah Sewell's and Kelsey Thompson's graduation parties.  Joyce and I always marvel that we

 have become so close to these people we care so much about, that we have been put on the rosters when families celebrate such occasions, and know that we are

 blessed to participate in such shenanigans.  Joyce being so much more involved having been around the kids for so long, and she easily mingles among the vast array of

 characters circulating around the event, but I manage to stand long enough around each and every group, to be able to send my own rhetoric into the fray and a very

 open ear to learn what Joyce has known for so long.  The pride of the parents and grandparents and family members of the achievement, and the angst of the

 person being lavished with praise, fills the room with some form of
Feng Shui, if I spelled that right, where one piece of furniture or something hanging on the wall

 being out of place could send the whole gathering into a wild and glorious crescendo.  
      Again I found myself admiring the culinary visions and choices,

 and as I listened to both Tim Sewell and Shelley Thompson give me insight into such benign culinary fortitudes, both very proud of their choices and displays.

      These are nights that Joyce enjoys the history of the families, and I get an earful of some of the local activity, and history of numerous individual players 

 involved in the pomp and circumstance.  All night we listened to everyone's take on the unsettling weather, and no one could remember the last time this type of

 downpour had occured so late into the year, and kept it's strength here into June itself, and butting it's way into High School Graduations. I always try and tell the new

graduates, here being Sarah and Kelsey, that there are moments in their lives that they just have to do what they have to do, and disregard the protocols, and bask and live in the freedom of their accomplishment.  Hopefully all those great people that we enjoyed yesterday found it as pleasant and wonderful as Joyce and I did...Just a little humbled and respectful Steven, thanks for inviting me to the Dance, Child