Parades

A parade went by my house on Tuesday morning. I live on a back roads type of street. We don't get parades as a general rule. There were police escorts and many cars in this parade with signs and balloons, but no floats.  I didn't get the memo about this parade.  I went out to see what all the noise was about.

Watching for a bit, it was clear that it was the end of school for the local high school.  These were seniors. They were celebrating their graduation.  They had big smiles.  There was lots of honking.  The neighbor children had signs and were waving.  They must have gotten the memo.

I smiled and waved as best I could.  I tear up at parades generally.  Silly, I feel.  The thinking part of me rejects the sentimental side that gets weepy at such public displays.  But, I can't deny, I got teary at this parade.

It is certainly a different year for the seniors.  They are missing out on many memories.  I am sure there is a lot of angst over that, the missing things. I feel for them not walking across the stage and shaking hands with the principal or superintendent, family cheering them on.  The part that makes me teary is missing the casual comments made to friends in line waiting to be called.  That some of the kids will never say goodbye to each other.  That they didn't get to talk to teachers at the end of the year.  The little moments are the ones I regret for them.

Still, as I write this, I wonder if the new graduation, the drive by parade will be more memorable.  Certainly the seniors of 2020 will always have something to talk about when graduation comes up.  They will have stories rivaling those of my parents generation who told stories of walking to school uphill through a snowstorm, both ways.  These kids will laugh at such foolishness.