pomp and circumstance?

Saturday, June 28, 2008
outta here,....for now Category: Life
Amazingly, I thought I was going to be met with a chorus of trumpets and drums, signaling rather loudly my time was up, my time has passed. Time to pass the torch to some other newbie, oblivious to all the duties that come with first time parents entering into pre-k. Let the games begin! (didn't know about the room mom's unspoken duties, did ya?...hee, hee, hee,...)
But, alas, to my dismay, I did not hear trumpets, drums, nor bells,..or anything. Just the constant chatter from other anxious parents awaiting "pomp and circumstance" to signal the end of 7 years of elementary education (if that's what ya wanna call it) and the beginning of a new chapter of parenting, education,...hence, growing up. And let's just say graduation, or rather "culmination" was just not what it was supposed to be either!
Now, *scratching head,...I'm really going to start complaining. And I don't mean to, but c'mon! Graduation is graduation, and with it come 'expectations', now, right? Such as music, music 'you can hear', um,.... announcements, awards, pauses for applause and appreciation,.....can you tell where I'm going with all of this? *hands up in the air now in frustration
At this particular graduation, there was no music for the children to come in on, making it very uncomfortable and confusing for them, because they didn't know what to expect. As for all the parents, friends, and guests, they were left wondering if the first few children made a mistake by coming in too early? Or not on cue? And praying it wasn't their child in this predicament. * sigh * But, smart parents and relatives that we are, we caught on, immediately understood something was quite wrong with the audio equipment, and applauded our 5th graders while they entered. What else could we do?
Instead of it getting better, it just got worse. How can it get any worse, you ask? Oh,.....let me continue,..........
Principal tried to recite a poem that could not be heard, which, by the way, didn't seem as heartfelt as it should, and few awards were given out with little explanation as to why they were being awarded and as to why the recipient was chosen ( we barely heard names!). Infact, awards seemed to be something they (their 5th grade teachers) breezed right on through, showing little importance! How sad! Graduation certificates were given out rather rapidly, and again, one whole class' parents, friends, and guests could not even hear their childrens' names being called. And this is after many loud outburst from irritated (but patient) parents yelling "Please speak up! We can't hear you!"
And the kicker for me, after hearing my oldest and first born's name pronounced wrong was,......................................................................................... ..................................................are you ready?..............................................
.................................................Jo was third from the last in his class by alphabetical order. And,.................he..................was.................skipped,...... .................................over,..............................................

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhggggggggggggggggggg!!!!!!!!!!!!
yeah, imagine the "smile" on my face! LOL Hey, at this point, you just have to laugh, and I did. We did. He had a huge cheering section that made up for being skipped and then remembered. Funny, up until he was "skipped", he was waiting just like all the other kids, and kinda dancing in his spot, enjoying the whole thing,...biding his time until he had to stand up. So laugh, we did, all of us together, WITH Jo.
I feel bad for the parents where this was the first graduation they've ever experienced for their own child. It should have been more wonderful and memorable. I have been fortunate enough to have seen three of my own kids' elementary graduations before Jo's and have great memories. This will be a great one to remember as well. Who else will be able to say they went to both their oldest and youngest sons' graduation in the same year, only to have their child's name mispronounced as well as skipped over? *pondering,..............
Anyhow, I just chalk it up as another experience to remember. I wish it was more memorable, and infact, I guess it will be. Its kinda sad to think I am actually done with elementary school now. No more field trips, volunteering, Halloween parades, cheesy christmas programs,..,....no more parent conferences in little chairs, finger painting activities, handball,...hoola hoops for recess..*sniff,.... wow, I guess I will miss it! *looking into the crowd of internet faces now,... "Anyone got a pre-k child in need of a room mommy?" LOL
Miss it yes, but ready for the next few chapters? Oh yeah,....*looking blindly into the wonderful sunset laid out in front of me,.....................Oh yes, I am,........
Currently listening : Empire Records: The Soundtrack Release date: 1995-08-22