We all have certain memories that are associated with those “red-letter” dates and events in our lives. Some of those memories are powerful and life changing, while others are just random little bits of accompaniment which, nevertheless, are an integral part of our memory catalog. In the list of “red-letter” occasions, high school graduation certainly must occupy a spot for most of us. Whether it represents an acknowledgement of achievement and maturity, or a nervous parent’s answered prayer, or maybe it just came down to an act of pure mercy on the part of some tender-hearted teachers, no matter how it is viewed, graduation has been and will always be a memorable milestone. In my case, graduation brings back the memories of the usual celebratory excitement, liberation from the small town, and the urgency of packing up all the gifts from family and friends and heading out for the bright lights and big campus. Nothing at all unusual about that. But the other “random bits” of that graduation recollection are also there and remain as constant and unfailing as the sunrise. One involves my grandmother. She was a caring soul who protected and helped provide for her family. She believed in preparing her three daughters and eight grandchildren for a world that had seen two major wars, a depression, and could at times be a mean place. She had buried two husbands and, as the old expression goes,"she did not suffer fools gladly". She had no time for nonsense, and was as tough as lighter knot. In short, she was not the storybook example of the warm, cuddly grandmother. Every year on my birthday, she would send me a check for $2.00. Never failed in 15 years. When I turned 16, I was amazed to open my birthday card and find a check for $5.00. The foundations of the entire universe must have shuddered! As incredible as that event was, it was eclipsed a year later when I graduated from Swainsboro High School and there in the fold of the card from her was a check for $15.00. I was rich! But as that check fluttered to the floor, what really captured me was what my grandmother had written in that drugstore gift card. I still have it today, because her words were a gift that held immeasurable meaning for me. In just a few sentences she wrote of her pride, her assurance, her love, her hopes and of course her expectations for me, and came as close as anyone could ever imagine to being that warm and cuddly grandmother. I felt like it was a kind of breakthrough for both of us, and I have always remembered that. Anyhow, that story is just one of those small memories that slip in there and add so much to the big "red letter" days. So, to all the graduates from all around: enjoy your success and all the congratulations, realizations, associations and emotions of the whole experience. But slow down just a little, just long enough to take note of all the priceless, little, random things that will complete the mosaic of your memories of this special time, for a lifetime to come. Congratulations, and be safe !
