And the Beat Gopes On

My wife and I attended our third consecutive Friday evening high school graduation ceremony this past weekend. This final 2013 exercise was held in the 7,200 seat auditorium at Willow Creek Community Church, Barrington, Illinois; the Barrington High School Class of 2013 was 'in the house.' Our daughter, Dawn (Husband) Shawn's son, Colin was the third grandchild to be graduated from that site. Since 762 graduates were receiving diplomas, we thought we needed to grab our preferred seats one hour ahead of the 7 P.M. schedule start. It was a good move because the pre-graduation entertainment is unbelievable by Barrington high schools extremely talented seniors; every year a new senior group delivers musical performances equal to professional entertainment.

The two and one half hour ceremony was dignified and held a couple of interesting speakers. I especially enjoyed the 'charge' given to the students by Barrington school superintendent, Tom Leonard a former coach himself. Mr. Leonard told the graduates that his favorite all-time movie was the Wizard of Oz.' He suggested that the four central characters in the film held desires that the seniors and perhaps everyone should also embrace. The Tin Man wanted a heart (give and serve and you will find your heart), the Lion wanted courage, (if you are willing to take risks you will find that courage), the Scarecrow wished for brain and Dorothy simply wanted to 'go home.' Of course, the seniors had demonstrated they had 'brains.'  Going home is a normal and healthy desire for everyone; always appreciate from whence you came. If you can, dare to go home and give back something.

There was one more central character in the story Oz that was highlighted by the speaker...surly, you all remember 'TOTO;' Dorothy's dog. The key role of a dog in the graduate's life is the fact that no matter what ups and downs, successes or failures may enter your journey, each day you come home to a DOG, you will find the truest of all unconditional loves. HERE, HERE, I second that notion!!

Loren Roustio and cousin Erica Howell will enter their respective freshmen years at Illinois State University this fall while their cousin, Colin O'Keefe heads to Kalamazoo, Michigan and Western Michigan. Good luck and God speed!

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