In most cultures and societies throughout the ages, we find marked Rites of Passage in various forms, from birthdays, bar/bat mitzvahs, baptisms, confirmations, marriages, divorces, anniversaries, and on and on. Included in these rites of passage are academic rites of passage known as graduation.
GRADUATION MONTH
June is the month when we see most graduations. Students will graduate from elementary schools, high schools, colleges, universities, technical and trade schools, and on. These rites of passage mark both an accomplishment by the student and an entry into the next phase of life. This passage may signal an entry into more education, an internship, on the job training, or the start of a career.
COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
Graduation is a time of celebration for the students, teachers, parents, family, and friends. It celebrates the accomplishment of a specific goal or goals, and the beginning or continuation of a larger plan of life. It can be a mix of feelings. From the joy of accomplishment to the sadness of leaving familiar friends and teachers behind, the emotions will run wild.
REMEMBERING THOSE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIPS
In most cases we know that many relationships developed during that time will be left behind. However, there will be those very special relationships which will always be remembered. In some cases, they will continue throughout our lives, evolving into close, endearing friendships.
THE VIEW FROM THE SEATS
Those of us who sit in the viewing seats will also have a range of feelings that will often carry us back to when we transitioned through that rite of passage that brought us to this point. As we watch this younger generation don their caps and gowns, and we see the craziness that overcomes them as they celebrate this transition into their new life, encourage them. This is their time. They have a future of unknown adventures and experiences ahead of them. We can only hope and pray that they will enter with eyes wide open and an undaunted desire to experience life to its fullest.
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