Both of my sons graduate college in a few weeks. They’ll not experience commencement, though of course that doesn’t diminish what they’ve accomplished. Their situation has had me thinking a lot about graduation lately.
I graduated high school in 1987. Cheyenne East High School had it’s commencement in Storey Gym. It was a nice day outside, and I’d wished they’d held the ceremony outdoors and not inside a shabby old gym. I remember some of commencement; playing in the orchestra before taking my seat, the horrid pale blue cap and gown, the pictures with my friends.
I remember driving home afterwards to change. I was in my car alone, and in my head. I was listening to “Orion” by Metallica very, very loudly. It was the first time in my life, though certainly not the last, that I found myself with no idea what would happen next. It was disorienting and exciting.
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