Just this March, I have attended a couple of graduation and heard endless speeches. Two of which are graduations of people important to me, one is my youngest sister's high school graduation and the other is my brother's college graduation. I have had few recollections about their graduations that I wish to bring here.
On my sister's
1. I and my sister were the only people present because of distance; despite that, it wasn't so melodramatic because we enjoyed the moment. I accompanied her when she received her award as University Passer, having been admitted to my alma mater, the University of Santo Tomas, while, I also do the hosting job for the programme. I was a better 'kuya' than a host.
2. Lessons learned---"There is a seed of greatness in all of us" and "Remember who you are, not what the world made you but your identity in Christ." Looking back, if earlier on I firmly stood on my principles and followed what was right, I could have done better. The messages reminded me that I am called for a purpose greater than I am.
3. Graduations are not so much about the laurels received; more importantly, is the feeling that soared throughout the moment. That feeling is universal. It is about the joy of having endured education and the pride it brings to parents. So when I adapted my grade six graduation's tribute to parents of bringing up on stage during the finale song and handing over to them all diplomas and awards, I knew we would make a mark. That mark is indelible.
4. Having had graduations of my own, I mastered the feeling of "leaving the portals" and not so much about being left. Today, I take the other side. As my class leaves, I can't help but feel sad. The batch that I first take as my advisory, the batch that saw me progressed from zero to hero (lol), the batch that will always have a special place in my heart will now take a new journey. And my prayer is, as Robert Frost penned, for them to take the road less traveled by.
On my brother's
1. When every speaker says that commencement exercises mark not the end but the beginning of a journey to the real world university, I saw that this is a point in person's life of moving from idealism to realism. Education gets really tough and toxic, but the real world is worse. It might be a dog-eats-dog rat race but education should have prepared them for that Not so much about being ethical or professional, but the preparation should have been about getting better views about living life.
2. Proud. I am proud of my parents for raising us valuing school; but I am more proud of my brother for taking it seriously. Not all kids are predisposed to do that.
3. The ceremony ended shortly than what I expected. Transitions were fast. No adlibs. Strictly formal. I wonder how to change the whole graduation concept? lol
4. The speaker, which I forgot the name, but is the secretary of DOLE, paraded the government's commendable economic performace which safeguarded the country from major impact of the global economic crisis. He cited the availability of jobs abroad but offset it with opportunities for the graduating nurses --- opportunities to work in rural areas with allowance for the purpose of getting experience while waiting for their turn for exile.
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Amidst the noise and haste with the limelight not on my feet, this day reminded how lucky I am for having my mom up on stage for the last time to share with me my award. I remember how hardheaded I was back then, how I rebeled from every system brought before me, how I choose what to chew and spit, how self-centered I had become and how at the last year in my college, I dropped the idea of running for honors just to prove a point. It was childish, pathetic and senseless
But maintaing a good start made all the difference. It saved me. My friends expected me to be there; My family thought I deserved it. Fast forward, that was the last moment, I have made my MOM proud.
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