Graduation 2008

The morning of graduation had hardly begun and Puck had made a disaster out of OLeif’s wallet.
“Buddy,” OLeif laughed at him.
He scooped up the cards and put them back inside. Puck was very reluctant to return the spare car key, however. He chewed on it for awhile.
“You’re not a car, Puck,” Collette told him. “Take that out of your mouth.”
The ceremony began at ten. After Collette helped fill the water holders for the roses (which had failed to be filled previously at the store), she joined everyone on the balcony. Both grandmas were down below in the audience, as was Aunt Corliss, and later, Uncle Hilario.
Despite the usual expected embarrassments (which included OLeif’s cell phone playing “Brass Monkeys” during the absolute worst possible time of the ceremony), and the amazing length of everything combined… it was a good ceremony. Pleasant music, “Indiana Jones” recessional, red roses, the usual.
Rose was looking beautiful in her red dress during the reception. She shared a table between Curly and Annamaria. Diana was back from Chicago and walked Jules around while talking with Collette. Lorenzo was there with his wife and their one year-old son. Mrs. Dinner, Bluebell, a mess of kids from the choirs and choir years past, the Reds and Friendlys… once again, all the old people gathered together.