Eliza graduates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Niece Eliza graduated from Schuylerville High Saturday in a delightfully festive ceremony at the Saratoga Civic Center. We went up to see the event.
It was a fine ceremony. The school had collected tons of money to present in the form of awards to many students, including Eliza, who managed to collect $200 in cash and now wants her uncle to teach her a little bit about playing poker for money.

Yeah.....like.....he wishes.

The ceremony was small enough to go fast enough even with all the awards and the group itself was so bonded and celebratory, and the crowd so spirited, that it did not take on that, "Oh, if I have to clap for just one graduate in this hot and humid room" feeling.
I did clap for all of them, creating a particular beat that lasted just long enough and so I entertained myself as the 120 graduates walked the stage. The room was very comfortable.

We were early to save good seats, and while we waited the graduates photos along with a baby photo and a quote were presented to the audience. The quotes were very entertaining, everything from the profound to the funny. It was clear that this high school did not censure student's own choices. Right away I felt good.
Then the principal spoke in such a fine, easy manner, one showing he was familiar with his students. I would have enjoyed working under this young, creative and very nice fellow. The school is lucky to have him. Some of the other speeches....well.... I played a few mental hands of poker while they droned on. The student speeches were fine, however, and from the heart. We could hear them too, a measure of the fine room.
I liked everything except the two women behind me who were:

"Did you see her?'
"Yeah, she is right there in the middle row."
"Oh, I think I see her arm. Yep there is here arm, look!"
No, that isn't her."

and

"Do you think we should go up to take a photo?"
"Yes, I think so. Yes, we should go up. We should definitely go up."
"When should we go?"
"Well, pretty soon. We should go pretty soon. We should definitely go pretty soon, but it looks like we still have time because they are just in the.........oh, I think you better go now, don't you"
"Where do I stand? Is there a certain place to stand?"
"Yeah, can't you see where they stand? Right there in front of the stage. See that girl there? Stand where her people are standing. And you should go now. You better go now"


And on and on until I wanted to turn around and shout:

"Look, you know her right? So maybe after the ceremony you could take her to lunch and see her all your want, okay? and you could take your photos then. But right now maybe we could hear the speeches and you could shut up with that frigging chatter!!"

But I didn't . I breathed. My Buddhist book on Anger recommends that.

Afterwards we went lunch at Chez Sophie because we would not then have to go out in the torrential downpour. I had a rarebit which was...well.... a tasty rare bit and enjoyed myself and the conversation. Tico told us the history of Chez Sophie and Courtney wondered if that history was just a bit too detailed. I explained that "eggs over easy" did not mean the same thing in every restaurant and Courtney told about her exciting coming trip to Oxford where she will present a paper that might be published.

Elizabeth talked about how hard it is to get a word in edgewise when she takes me anywhere because I don't listen to her and pay attention. She said some other things as well.....but I forget what they were.

And yes, Eliza, we did talk and gush and gurgle all about you, over and over and we enjoyed how beautiful and spirited and smart and how..... well..... how graduated you are.

Congratulations and a long life journey of adventure and happiness.

Oh, remember, I get points for guarding the diploma and the money from your Mom while you went to the loo (as Grandpa Bernie would say.)
I did my duty against a formidable and stubborn opponent who thought it was her diploma and that she would damn well see if it she wanted and she would see it right now, thank you very much. Well, Ms Courtney, I thought , you just have another thought coming and I held it high over my head, where your mom just can't jump anymore.



The graduates assemble






The dad waits in quiet contemplation.



The graduate shows off her flowers and her flowery smile
Here they all are.








Courtney explains how it is really her diploma

Tico explains how Eliza is now a grownup and so she must now do everything he tells her to do and when he tells her and no arguments.

The graduate gets kissed.


"Hey. I made it. Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!"