Brilliant article! I just love reading your stories Mark…such wisdom!
Our 6th (and youngest child) graduated high school in the dreaded 2020 covid-craziness. We weren’t certain there would even be a ceremony as they kept changing the plans. In the end, they had a “modified” graduation ceremony outside with the class divided into two grou…
Brilliant article! I just love reading your stories Mark…such wisdom!
Our 6th (and youngest child) graduated high school in the dreaded 2020 covid-craziness. We weren’t certain there would even be a ceremony as they kept changing the plans. In the end, they had a “modified” graduation ceremony outside with the class divided into two groups by last name (one in the morning, the other in the afternoon). It was similar to other graduations our kids had in the past, but the students (they were only allowed 4 tickets each) and their parents/guests were masked (even outside). There were speeches and music, but there was definitely something missing. Their “shine” seemed to be missing. I think the students were all suffering a type of grief…not because of the “modified” ceremony, but by looking back on that day in March (the 12th to be exact) when they left school for a couple weeks to “flatten the curve” (which also included their spring break) they didn’t realize that they would never return to their high school again. Lockers and desks were left untouched only to have their contents retrieved a few days before graduation. I think that “thing” I sensed that graduation day, was a grief and sorrow of not doing the “Carpe Diem” and leaving so many things (friendships, projects, hopes, and dreams) unfinished or in process.
Our school district (with only 2 high schools) actually had it a lot better than some of the city schools who had “drive-thru” graduations. I’m sure it is a scar that will live with most of the kids who graduated that fateful year. I feel angered and disappointed for these kids, but they will have some crazy stories to tell their grandkids one day!
I feel a deep sadness when I hear stories like the one you just told. I know this happened on a mass scale. I've written many times about the victimization of kids. So much stolen from them. That time--all time is irreplaceable.
You’re so right…I think there is going to be a deep collective sadness/grief around the world when people begin to realize all that was stolen from them (irreplaceable time, relationships, health, trust, etc.). I also wanted to tell you that “…and then the wheels fell off…” is absolutely classic and will now be part of my ever-growing vocabulary of awesome phrases!
I've said in much of the stuff I've written that time is irreplaceable. When people say "We won't let this happen again," it doesn't make me feel the least bit better. The time that young people lost can't ever be gotten back.
Brilliant article! I just love reading your stories Mark…such wisdom!
Our 6th (and youngest child) graduated high school in the dreaded 2020 covid-craziness. We weren’t certain there would even be a ceremony as they kept changing the plans. In the end, they had a “modified” graduation ceremony outside with the class divided into two groups by last name (one in the morning, the other in the afternoon). It was similar to other graduations our kids had in the past, but the students (they were only allowed 4 tickets each) and their parents/guests were masked (even outside). There were speeches and music, but there was definitely something missing. Their “shine” seemed to be missing. I think the students were all suffering a type of grief…not because of the “modified” ceremony, but by looking back on that day in March (the 12th to be exact) when they left school for a couple weeks to “flatten the curve” (which also included their spring break) they didn’t realize that they would never return to their high school again. Lockers and desks were left untouched only to have their contents retrieved a few days before graduation. I think that “thing” I sensed that graduation day, was a grief and sorrow of not doing the “Carpe Diem” and leaving so many things (friendships, projects, hopes, and dreams) unfinished or in process.
Our school district (with only 2 high schools) actually had it a lot better than some of the city schools who had “drive-thru” graduations. I’m sure it is a scar that will live with most of the kids who graduated that fateful year. I feel angered and disappointed for these kids, but they will have some crazy stories to tell their grandkids one day!
Thanks, Carolyn.
I feel a deep sadness when I hear stories like the one you just told. I know this happened on a mass scale. I've written many times about the victimization of kids. So much stolen from them. That time--all time is irreplaceable.
You’re so right…I think there is going to be a deep collective sadness/grief around the world when people begin to realize all that was stolen from them (irreplaceable time, relationships, health, trust, etc.). I also wanted to tell you that “…and then the wheels fell off…” is absolutely classic and will now be part of my ever-growing vocabulary of awesome phrases!
I've said in much of the stuff I've written that time is irreplaceable. When people say "We won't let this happen again," it doesn't make me feel the least bit better. The time that young people lost can't ever be gotten back.