Graduations: past and present

The rain is coming through the region again. This afternoon I was sitting in my office when a rain front came through and put my computer out. I sat in the office and read a book for awhile until the rain stopped. A few moments ago Cindy and I got in my car and drove off from church just as the rain began again. Now we are home sipping tea, watching television together.

Kate is in Charleston. With Ali. She spent the day at the beach and got burned a bit. I hope she is having shrimp and grits tonight. The meal for any meal.

Friday, we drive to Clinton for Baccaleureate and Graduation on Saturday. On Sunday we celebrate Mother's Day in the Upstate, Greenville.

I have to play a part on Saturday. Baby blue seersucker, bowtie, cigar. Celebrating the baby graduating from college. Maybe Tex will even make an appearance. The whole family, short dad. We will miss him.

When I graduated from W&L, I threw all of my stuff in the back of the convertible and drove down to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Peaks of Otter. Within sight of the lodge, I had a blowout on one of my tires. I looked at it. My spare was covered up with half of my stuff in the trunk. I was wearing my suit pants. I hunkered down to look at the tire. My pants ripped from stem to stern.

Fortunately, no one was around. I found a pair of jeans in the back seat and walked down into the woods to take off my suit pants and replace them with my jeans.

I climbed back up on the road level and walked down to the nearest pay phone. I called the lodge, trying to get my parents' room. I was told that there were no telephones in the rooms. They promised that they would send a forest ranger down to look after the car. I walked the rest of the way to get to my parents' room.

Dad drove me back to the car. The world's largest forest ranger was standing by the car. We tried to get the lugs off the wheel. No luck. He took the largest tire tool out of his car and tried to remove a lug. No luck. He took his huge booted foot above and slammed it on the tool. The tool spun crazily and the lug came off in the end of the tool.

We looked at him. He looked at us. He said he would send a tow truck up to pick up the car. I got my toiletries and clothes for the night and the ride tomorrow. Dad drove me back to the Peaks of Otter.

That night we had a great meal in the huge dining room overlooking the lake. Toward the end of the evening I noticed Kenny's parents at the hostess's stand. I walked over as Mrs. Smith walked over to the window to look at the lake. I said, "Hello, Mr. Smith."

Mr. Smith stared at me like a stranger. Unlike the person who had been freinds and teammates with his son. Unlike the person who had roomed with his son for our senior year. Unlike the person with whom he had shared a week around graduation.

Fortunately, Mrs. Smith turned around and noticed me. We said hello and then shared a few moments before my family left and the Smiths were seated.

The next day we had pictures taken with Grandmommie and Dee Dee, both taking turns wearing my straw cowboy hat.

One more. I remember that Homer stayed over for graduation. We shared a ride in my car. Homer was a good guy. Now he is a divorce lawyer in Jacksonville. I had a girlfriend at the graduation ceremony. Robin Fischer. She had red hair and blue eyes. Before the graduation ceremony, my grandmother sat down beside Robin and asked her if she was Robin. That red hair was a real easy clue, but we are still amazed that my grandmother sat right next to her at the ceremony. Later, we all shared a meal at the Holiday Inn.

This is a big moment. I hope Kate enjoys these few days.