My Mama came down this weekend and she is now of the legal age of 85. She came down to attend the graduation of her great grandson Zachary. Saturday morning at ten o'clock high, the commencement began in a new high school gym that smelled of fresh latex paint and new wood. This is our families 5th graduation here at this school and the first one we have sat in that we did not have to use the Program sheet to fan our warm faces, there is now cool refreshing air conditioning.

A perfect 101 students dressed in blue gowns and hats sat there for the last mandatory time at Eustace High School, in the new gym. A body that named themselves the "Oh No O Nine " class, as if to say "we are glad to be finishing high school but also sad that 09 has finally arrived and high school is over." Sad because our friends that we have seen everyday of our life for years will suddenly not be there tomorrow. The teachers who taught us, challenged us,and became our second parents, will not forget the "Oh No O Nine " class because we also challenged them. Our teachers our guides wont be there standing before us everyday anymore, out of the nest they push us and we each go our own ways, our mutual days ended. Happy and sad is O Nine.

 As I watch these young men and women I grasp that this is the future I AM SEEING, and I am hopeful because as I watched them I noticed a difference from my generation and this one. They seem to be unafraid to show open emotion, they are affectionate and the even the young men hug one another. They do not seem to be laden down with race or gender issues, they have open generous hearts. We tend to talk of the good old days but this generation seems to be made of finer cloth,like silk, supple but strong, softly comforting but durable,more noble and accepting, they tend to speak of better days for us ahead in their hands. They give me hope.

This class of 101 students received over one million dollars in combined scholarships. They had one miracle student with 13 years of perfect attendance,and one student with downs syndrome who lifted her certificate high as she marched down the procession line and received a standing ovation of cheers from all, she had finished the race. The Salutatory Speech contained the thoughts and words of the Lee Ann Womack song "Dance". So inspiring that I had to include them here.(Video link here :  Dance)

 I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
 You get your fill to eat But always keep that hunger
 May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed

 I hope you still feel small when you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance ,I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
 Living might mean taking chances ,But they're worth taking
 Lovin' might be a mistake But it's worth making

Don't let some hell bent heart ,Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out ,Reconsider
Give the heavens above ,More than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

 I hope you dance ,I hope you dance

 I hope you still feel small When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance
 And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

 DANCE
I hope you dance,  I hope you dance

 At ten minutes before 12 noon , 101 tasseled blue hats floated upward ,individually but in unison ,it is the last time as a body the class of "Oh No O Nine" speaks and shouts together. I congratulate them and all the seniors of 2009 everwhere. As individuals I hope they rise like their hats rose this morning, I hope the day comes when they take the torch from our callused hands, this gentler, kinder, wiser generation. I hope they take us back to the future, and always I hope they dance.