Pomp And Circumstance

It’s already been played a couple of times this week and over the next few days it will be a very popular song. Upon hearing it some will smile, others will cry and most will reflect. The song of course is “Pomp and Circumstance, March #1” which is best known as the graduation song and was first played at Yale University in 1905. It is perfectly suited for a ceremony that marks the end of one stage of life and the beginning of another and that is what a high school graduation is all about.

For some students it means that school is not only out for summer…but forever. They will move right into the work force or possibly the military and hopefully find a career paved with success. Most however are headed to college where the real journey begins…a period when they become more independent than ever and travel a road which often defines their futures.

This is a very exciting time, especially for parents who will watch their oldest child receive their diploma. They are experiencing this for the first time and will probably think back to when their sons and daughters entered kindergarten or first grade and wonder where all those years went. They’ve grown up and you grew older, thanks in large part of the stress of raising a teen-ager. Don’t think it’s over yet, in many cases its just beginning.

However this is a time of joy and one that families should share and celebrate together. Those little kids are not little any longer and you should take pride in getting them to where they are today. All those trips back and forth to school… sports, plays, concerts and other activities, back to school nights, progress reports, report cards and more.

Yes those days are over and you are no longer the parents of a high school student…but a high school graduate. Those tears your shedding may not be tears of joy…first college tuition payment is due in August.