With light steps and a glint in my eye I made my way out the door following the people in front of me. We walked out of the main building and then stopped. Minutes passed... those minutes felt like hours. Then we started moving again, my heart started to speed up. Slowly we wound our way up to the gym where graduation would be. Once again we stopped, this time just in front of the double doors.
I looked around behind me. Two long rows of black stood directly behind me and then behind them were two more rows of students. Those two lines of students stretched as far as I could see. The breeze was gently blowing and gowns gently swayed in it and tassels bobbed. A slight hum came from that mass of students. Hands waved to me and I recognized some of my friends... I smiled. This was good... life was so very good.
We started moving again, but once again we didn't make it very far. This time though, we were inside the building. The loud sound of a big crowd came from the gym doors. People were running in and out trying to get to seats. The VP turned and smiled and me and offered words of encouragement. My knees began to tremble slightly but then I remembered that I was doing all of this for the Lord and the only reason I was here was because of HIM. All became quiet but only for a moment. Suddenly the strains of "Pomp and Circumstance" began to play. It was soft for a few moments, but then it grew gradually louder as the seconds passed.
I looked up with a smile on my face and saw that the people in front of me were moving. Graduation had now officially started!!
With a light step I began to walk. As I walked in through those double doors my heart lept with joy and emotion. The music was strong and powerful. The gym was full of people everywhere. They were all standing and smiling and clapping and it was all too wonderful to take in. How do I describe that moment? As I walked down the aisle between hundreds of standing people I thanked the Lord for bringing me to that point.
The small group of us walked up on stage and for the first time I looked around me. The faculty in their marvelous outfits were walking down the aisle and filing up against the stage. Then I saw them. My dear sweet friends from church, the ones who had been there for me for so long. They were amazing, they were such a blessing, and I can't tell you how much they mean to me. They were in the front of the line of students. Those moments of watching them were some of the most precious to me. I felt so proud of them!! I marveled at all that each one of them had gone through to be there that day. God had been so good to them! I loved watching their faces as for a brief moment a look of awe crossed each of their faces. I grinned as I saw them start to smile and then break into the biggest grins you have ever seen. They looked so awesome and at that moment I don't think life could have gotten any better. I had goosebumps as I realized once again and more fully, that now we were really graduating.
I clapped until all the students had been ushered into their rows of chairs. Then the faculty were seated. Finally we were told to sit down. Much of the first part of the ceremony was a blur to me. I do remember the president speaking and making the students who were in RS, honor's program, honor's society, etc stand. That was fun! Then the choir sang and I felt butterflies gathering again.
After the choir was done, the VP stood up and introduced. I felt so very honored. I heard those words "please join me in welcoming Hannah G__" and then applause. I rose from my chair breathless and happy. Now was the time, no, not to shine for myself. It was the time to shine for Jesus. My prayer was that somehow this speech would touch lives. I walked up to the podium, the applause stopped. I opened my notes and adjusted the mike. Then I began to speak...
"Ralph Waldo Emerson once said "Watch your thoughts they become words, words become actions, actions become habits, habits become character, and YOUR character become your destiny. I firmly believe that character is one of the most important priorities in life."
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I finished with "because the measure of success in life is NOT its duration but its donation. Congratulations to all of the graduates here today! Thank you!"
At my last words I smiled as big as possible and looked down at my friends. Applause broke out and I was finished. I went back to my chair as happy as a clam. Thank you Lord for giving me the strength.
Then, one of the best parts of the night happened. The graduates were individually presented. Each one handed a card with their name on it to one of the VP and he would read it along with what they were graduation with into the mike. As he was doing that each graduate stood in front of flags and had their picture taken. Once that was done, they made their way on stage and were handed a diploma from the president. They paused there so that they could get their picture with the president and then they progressed down the line of the board of trustees shaking hands with each one. I was blessed with the privilege of being in that line to congratulate the graduates.
Congratulating my friends was by far the best part of that section. As I hugged (I could shake hands with my friends!!!) each one of them I praised God for the great friends I had in them. Wow! We had done it! The graduates kept coming, many of them congratulated me as well and thanked me for my speech. I pray that they were able to take something from it.
My feet began to hurt but it didn't matter. The rows of students kept coming though. Finally the last row got up. As it neared it's end I quietly walked off stage and stood behind the last person. I would be the last to graduate. Finally, it was my turn. I handed my card to Ron and stood in front of the flags. Screams echoed after my name was announced. I was so happy that I thought I would burst. I received my diploma and stood with the president for my picture and then finished by shaking hands with the trustees. Then we all sat down.
More of a blur... the graduates were presented as a whole. We moved our tassels to the left side!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Then the graduated class of 2009 was officially presented!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The ceremony was over. Those of us on stage started the recessional and the music once again played. I was content, life was amazing, God had been good. Joyfully I made my way down stage and down the aisle. This time I walked the aisle as a graduate!!
We made our way out of the gym and the faculty and myself formed two lines. While we clapped the graduated students made their way through the tunnel we had formed. The only downside to all this was that it began to rain. I didn't care though...
Then I saw my friends... but where was my family? I turned and started talking and....
(to be continued on pt. 3)
