Graduation (and Saying Goodbye to Waco)

Okay, here are all the details from graduation! But first- the burning question… was I happy with my outfit? The answer is, it was COMPLETELY FINE. There were people more dressed up than me, and people wearing jeans. The only way I could have gone wrong is if I had worn running clothes or pajamas. I did not do anything about my toenails, and no one noticed. So, note to future self- do not worry about these things.

Let’s move on to the important topics. Every year Paul plays for graduation (the music is provided by a paid student brass ensemble). We knew he was playing again this year, and about a week ago he said “You know I won’t be walking in with my class, because I’ll be playing Pomp and Circumstance?” Oh. Hmm. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. My husband said “Well, that’s the life of a musician- you’re always playing while other people are celebrating.” Okay…

Before the ceremony started, the brass ensemble played several pieces as a prelude. And then, they played a fanfare to signal the start of the processional, which caused a ripple of excitement through the audience. They broke into Pomp and Circumstance as the graduates appeared, and I realized- that’s the other part of being a musician. You’re making the music that makes these moments special, and that’s pretty cool.

I’ll tell you what I WASN’T fine with, though. Also shortly before graduation, Paul told us that when he ordered his cap and gown, he went with the absolute cheapest option. Wait. What? There was an additional colorful stole, and a cord for being magna cum laude, but he decided not to “waste” money on those. OH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD. Let’s look at a photo:

It didn’t help that the school of music gowns were black (some schools had green gowns) and that he had to wear a black shirt, since he was playing in the brass ensemble. But he looked SO INCREDIBLY PLAIN compared to everyone else. He said he wore a green tie “to make up for it.”

After graduation was over, he said “NOW aren’t you glad I saved us the money?” NO I AM NOT! There are great times to save money, and this was NOT one of them! I’m going to be sputtering about this for a long, long time- possibly the rest of my life.

Deep breaths. Deep breaths. Let’s move on. Going back to the ceremony- once the processional was over, Paul and the other seniors playing in the brass group joined their class, and of course he walked across the stage to get his diploma like everyone else.

In addition to several poignant moments during the ceremony, the entire time in Waco was an emotional land mine for me. I teared up when we passed Paul’s freshman dorm. His trumpet teacher gave him a present and a card, and when Paul read the card all three of us- Paul, my husband, and I- cried. We had to say goodbye to his best friend and roommate of the past three years- a boy who has visited us in Florida and who we absolutely love. (Paul smoothed that over by saying “Don’t worry- Russell will definitely be invited to my wedding, so you’ll see him again.”)

We initially regretted that the trip was so short, but it turned out to be the perfect length. If we stayed longer it would have prolonged the goodbyes. We got to spend some great quality time with Paul, and he has his own loose ends to tie up. He’ll stay in Waco for another week before leaving for a trumpet competition and then a summer music festival.  We’ll see him again in July (which will be my next trip- more on that later!)

So that’s it! I’m definitely suffering a little from post-trip blues, but also relieved that everything went smoothly. Oh, and my daughter- who opted to stay behind with a friend- said she didn’t really have a good time “because Abby and her mom argued so much.” HMMM. I feel like there’s a deep lesson here, but I’ll leave it for now.

Would you have been upset about the “econo-gown” situation? (Back me up, people!!!)