Beech Tree News Network

May is traditionally the month for graduations. College graduations were earlier in the month, and our local high school graduation is later this week. Each graduate reached a milestone worthy of celebration. My children’s and grandchildren’s graduations were moments of both thanksgiving (for meeting a standard) and hope (for the future). This week one of my granddaughters will graduate from high school. I know it, too, will be memorable, as family and friends celebrate her achievement.

Wondering about graduation memories, I asked friends and family, “What is the best graduation memory you have?” Their responses are listed below.

-The first graduation memory that comes to mind is that my dad gave me a card that said “Happy Retirement” after marking out the retirement and writing “graduation” above it. With the card, he gave me a small pack of crayons and a note about how each color in the box signified a part of life that I would eventually encounter. I appreciated his creativity and personal attention to my milestone.

-Being done with my degree courses was a huge relief!

-Just getting out of school!

-I remember that feeling of accomplishment. Also, walking across the stage and having family there supporting you.

-When our daughter graduated from high school, my husband gave a little speech at the graduation party and literally cried and could hardly speak. This is the best memory that I have of a graduation. He loves her so much, and it definitely showed at that moment. That made a permanent positive memory for me!

-Mine would definitely be college graduation. I felt more accomplished with it.

-My father delivering the baccalaureate message to my graduating class.

-I was more proud graduating from my first responders’ class than I’ve ever been from a school graduation. I remember being so happy I was CPR, AED, and Heimlich certified. I was in the 5th grade.

-Walking out of school for the last time.

-Knowing I’d never have to go back!

-The best graduation memory I have is looking up in the stands seeing the people who came to watch me. Knowing they loved me enough to take time out of their busy lives to come watch me was so special!

-A neighbor took time to come to my graduation.

-The time that I was a speaker at a nursing graduation, and when I introduced myself, the graduating students cheered. I spoke about their success, the honor of being associated with them, and welcomed them into professional practice as peers. I believe the graduates’ success reflected the professional actions of nursing instructors.

-I knew how proud my mother was of me…. I remember standing in the school parking lot after graduation and how my daddy looked at me. He did not say a lot, but I could see pride in his eyes and on his face.

-Lots of years ago, so I don’t remember lots! But I do remember having mixed feelings of happiness and sadness and singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Graduates, you’ve completed another step in life. Enjoy the feeling of a weight lifted, a job completed. And store away those graduation memories.