Into the World

Above is a picture of Miles and his best friend, Eric Todd. They have been friends since 5th grade, when the Todds moved to the area. Good kid, good family. Miles, Jotty and Eric hang out together a lot.
Anyway, graduation was great! Despite rain all week long, the day began nice and sunny. However, as we all gathered at the stadium (what is left of it) waiting for the students to start the processional, dark clouds started to roll in. As the students were lining up to enter the field, lightening began to flash so they sent the students back across the street to the nearby church where they had gathered earlier and announced a 20 minute delay for the storm to pass. As it began to rain we opened our umbrellas and waited. Sure enough, about 20 minutes later the rain stopped. The chairs were hurriedly dried off and 10 minutes later they brought the kids back, did the processional and started the graduation ceremonies.
All the speakers were good (guest speakers were the governor and one of the teachers whose daughter died in the collapse of the school-she would have graduated this year too) and no one was long-winded. In fact, no one was hesitant to refer to God and Jesus or to speak about what a great country we live in. (I'm kind of waiting to hear if the "word police" start a lawsuit over the "religious " parts). Of course, after all the speakers gave their addresses they got to the meat of it and started announcing graduates' names and handing out diplomas (covers). About half way through the alphabet, it started to sprinkle and the woman announcing names started to double-time it. Worked out fine, no one got rained on and she made up for the time delay earlier.
In our little group in the stands were Jim, Jotty and I. Jacob and Miles' Young Men's president showed up shortly after us and then we spotted our friends from Eufaula. (that's nearly a 2 hour drive to see a friend's kid graduate). So, Miles had a nice cheering section in our area. JaNae brought balloons to the stadium before she had to be to work and Anna called to give her best wishes. Afterwards, on the field with the graduates, we met up with some more friends from out of town who came. Then we left, and Miles went to a grad party at another friend's house. Eric doesn't like parties so he came over and played video games with Jotty. By 1:30 a.m. they were all pretty much tuckered out.
I cannot believe we only have Jotty left to graduate. In fact, it's hard to imagine Miles leaving on his mission in September. Yes, time DOES fly.
***to those wondering why we have graduation outside...even when rain is impending: there is no other place big enough to put nearly 400 graduates and their families and friends. Years ago, when there was an auditorium, if it was inclement weather they would hold it there and only the parents of graduates could attend. Until we have another auditorium or when the civic center is finished...it is outside or nothing. Had it continued to rain they would have moved graduation to the next morning at 10 a.m.
Hey! Happy graduation to ALL of the class of 2009!!!!