Graduation Day.

~ Live & Learn

eric-kanigan-kindergarten-college-graduation

10 hour car ride. In Both directions. In three days. Why drive, when you can fly?

Fighting traffic to airport. Finding parking in overflowing lots. Standing in interminable TSA security lines. Hard-back molded plastic seats, waiting. Delays. Waiting to board. Fighting for overhead bin space. No open seats. No legroom. Non-reclining seats. Unclean arm rests and seat tray tables. Claustrophobia. Acrophobia.  And then, the other side. Waiting to deplane. Waiting for luggage. Dragging luggage to car rental, more waiting. And, then, a one-hour drive to Winston-Salem.

But “that” wasn’t it.

There was only this option, for this could be the last road trip with Family. Road trips with Family. McDonalds. Dad trying to make time, foot heavy on accelerator. Tummies full of soda, unscheduled bathroom breaks at highway rest stops. The Karaoke. The arm signals to Truckers urging a pull on the deep throaty air horns. The honking in tunnels. The spilled milkshakes. The spats in the back seat. Are we there yet?  Budget hotels with swimming pools, had to have a swimming pool. Single rooms, twin beds with too-soft mattresses, undersized bathrooms, always two towels short. The thrill of Room Service. Kids petering out, little bodies sleeping side by side, their gentle puffs of breath, gone dreaming.

I turn my head to the window to look out at the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains, I wipe the tears, and step on the accelerator. Like a firework in the face. Accept our gratitude for the promise of a next chapter in life. And a next. And a next.¹ 

Graduation Day.

The procession. The speeches (who cares?). Birds, with the best seat in the house, flutter over 1200 graduates, and more than 2400 family members in the courtyard in an outdoor ceremony. The faculty sit on a grand stage, with big screens flanking each side with the show running real-time. The steeple of Wait Chapel soars above. Our Son sits rows ahead, sneaking sips of champagne from his deep pocketed robe. Text messages and photos fly in all directions.

I open the program, and run my index finger up and down the columns in search of his name. Bachelor of Science graduate, there he is. I pause for a moment, and continue. I pan over to the list of graduates with distinction. The Index finger slows this time, it’s a much shorter list. I jump 10 names at the time, the smooth gloss of the program electric on finger tips, my heart on fire now.

There he is:

Eric David Kanigan – Summa Cum Laude.

I drop my head, close the program, and close my eyes to staunch the flow. The hands clutch the thighs, but can’t intercede, the body trembles, running on its own now. Overwhelmed again.

That’s my Son.

He’s mine.

Notes:

84 thoughts on “Graduation Day.”

  7. Congratulations to your son! And to you… what a way of life and love – parenthood.
    Have just started a reflection including this quote. Seems meant to share-
    ‘Grief and gratitude are kindred souls, each pointing to the beauty of what is transient and given to us by grace.’ (Patricia Carlson)

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  10. Absolutely loverly!!! Family road trips brought home a flood of memories. Why you were just a ‘lil fur piece’ down the road from me…here in these magical Blue
    Ridge Mountains!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. Thank you for sharing all of this David. So many memories brought back to me because of this you have shared. I feel the love for those times all over again so strongly. So happy for you and your family. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  15. The perfect post with which to slip back into the fold…this is beautiful and for that I will forgive you for making me cry at 5:30 am. Congrats Papa…what a milestone!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. He looks a lot like you, David.! 😉
    What a thrill for you and for Eric. How proud you must feel. And so, another chapter begins. Thankfully we (parents) get to witness the ups, the downs, and the in-betweens. Right there in the midst of it all… Wouldn’t have it any other way…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  18. Congrats and many blessings! Exciting times…glancing back, looking ahead, and realizing how damn fast it all goes. Got a lump in my throat reading this, pal. Hope you’ll keep us posted on Eric’s next chapter. I’ve no doubt he’ll continue to make you proud…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  28. You may have staunched the flow when reading Eric’s name…with distinction. I couldn’t so didn’t. There you have it. A confession from the heart….remembering my own two…so long ago and still it seems just yesterday….two grandchildren ago. Memories etched and embraced forever.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  29. Congrats to the entire family. Amazing how time flies. I recall your earlier posts when he started college. Bonne chance a tous

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  30. Dave, Thank you for sharing about your bright, well rounded and handsome son… in sharing your heart in such a loving, honoring and beautiful manner, we witness an extension of your soul…Children are such a blessed gift and such a tremendous, lovely responsibility …Eric has has worked hard and is joyful…You and Susan have gifted your children with the benefit of two loving, intelligent parents with great sensitivity, creativity, morals and sense of humor…well done, beaming parents!! and Miss Rachel is I am sure very stoked for her brother 🙂 May he continue to do well, stand tall on his own two feet, learn by doing, seek your advice when needed and keep God in the forefront…Kindly and much Joy to you and your family, Christie

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  36. Beautiful…just last weekend we were at our oldest son’s graduation from Vanderbilt University. I can relate to so much…the road trip, the ceremony, the program, the flow…ugh my heart!!! Congratulations to you all!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a Reply