Pomp & Circumstance #5

Saturday, May 26, 2007

It was the big day for Joe and Wallace.

And word was going around that it was the best graduation out of the five years total. Collette agreed. Forty-five graduates marched on stage in black gowns and gold stoles. Although why the whole “Pomp and Circumstance” was never played to the end, why it was always faded away before it had finished, Collette could never understand.

The ceremony went smoothly, however. The red roses were given to all the mothers, the diplomas were all awarded, the hugs and handshakes passed around, the pictures taken… Tiffany James and Jims Mormon sang their finale – “The Prayer” – before the end. The hats were tossed with thunderous applause (Collette could see Joe chomping at the bit to release his cap into the air; it flew high into the rafters). And because they were the class of ’07, they departed to the James Bond theme song after half the class had donned cool black shades. The applause continued for awhile. The reception followed with cookies and lemonade which called for a “Holy cow!” upon drinking, in reaction to the incredible sugar content.

The kids buzzed around in reunion with former graduates and friends. It was the annual regathering of people from over the years.

Grandpa and Martha had come. So had Grandma Combs and Uncle Mo, Grandma Snicketts, and Aunt Corliss. And OLeif and Collette met up with Iwo and Strawberry again.

“Can I hold him?” Iwo had asked, holding out his arms to Puck.

Puck was good, and let Iwo hold him for awhile, after he had been passed around between both grandmas and his Uncle Joe and Uncle Curly.

Gad and Justus Orange also came by to see the Puck.

“Awwww…” Justus said. “This is all just so strange still. I mean, you and OLeif are older than me. But not that much older. And you have a kid now and…”

Collette knew the feeling. Were they really getting that old already?

After the festivities had passed, the kids gathered at the Hobcoggin’s for barbecue.

It had been a good day.