Go Baby Grow
Chapter 38 – The Graduate
Sunday, June 7th
One of the wonderful practices of St. Frances was holding their annual graduation ceremony in a large Episcopal cathedral. The grandeur and acoustics were breathtaking, but, for the Shepherd Hunts, the unlimited seating was a welcome change from most events that limited families to 4-6 tickets. Sunday morning, after the 10 am worship service, parents, students, family and friends filled the Cathedral.
When the Shepherd Hunts filed into the sanctuary, they filled two entire pews. Nolan appeared first, guiding Molly as he held her hand and holding Emmy in his other arm. Lissa, by his side yet somewhat fragile, held Lizzy. The Tremblay Hunts hugged and greeted St. Frances teachers and friends as they proceeded to their seats. Olivia, never much of a St. Frances fan from the beginning, wore the most flamboyant outfit she could assemble and strolled in confidently. Owen, his hand gently resting on the small of Amelia's back, nodded at fellow parents and colleagues. Lucas, Ria, and Anna followed dutifully behind. They knew to be on their best behavior, not only because they were sitting with their parents, but also because their former teachers were also present. Ensuring that all of the Littles made their way to the intended area, Evelyn concluded the family parade. Slipping in from the side, Julie soon found the family and slid in next to Nolan.
The Episcopal Priest appeared in the chancel and motioned for all to stand. Pomp and Circumstance, played by live brass, commenced and the graduates processed down the center aisle as they had practiced ad nauseam. Amelia squeezed Owen's hand as Ryder walked by and winked at her. As Valedictorian, he and the Senior Class President led the class to the front pews before they continued to the honored seating on the stage.
After a greeting and prayer, a hymn was sung and a Scripture passage was shared. Ryder's moment had arrived. Mrs. Tottingham introduced him as the "young man who has made me swell with pride and enhanced my patience through years of thorough testing." Boasting proudly, she announced his appointment to the Naval Academy and spoke briefly of his many accomplishments and antics.
Ryder shook Mrs. Tottingham's extended hand as he approached the podium. Then he held up one finger, set his speech down, and hugged the Principal he loved to hate. Parents and family members thought it was a show of gratitude and love. Ryder knew his motive was purely to relax the rules of decorum that Mrs. T loved so well.
With characteristic charm, Ryder spoke:
"When I arrived at St. Frances at the age of 8, a new chapter in my life was emerging. Actually, to refer to it as a chapter is insufficient. A new book began to be written. My mother, Kayla, had recently died in a traffic accident. She had raised my brother, sister, and I on her own since our father's untimely death five years prior. Luckily, Mom was a thorough woman. She had just updated her will, entrusting her three loud, playful, and determined children to her cousin, Owen. I'm sure he agreed to be listed, assuming that never in a million years would he find himself an instant father of three. Even though anyone who knew the Tremblay children would have understood if he had changed his name and entered into the witness protection program, Owen and his brand new wife, Amelia, dared to rise to the challenge. In order to escape the insanity of parenthood and free up the better part of each weekday, they found a place willing to engage and educate my brother, Nolan, and a place willing to engage, educate and tolerate me. They enrolled us at St. Frances.In this new book, I was a new student at an unfamiliar school, a new resident in a foreign land, and a new member of a newly-formed, quirky and wonderful family. I assure you…None of us had any idea what we were doing.
"My years at St. Frances have had a profound impact in shaping me into the young man I am today. Ingenuity, exploration, analysis, and self-awareness. What sacred gifts I received during my time here. I learned ingenuity through challenges such as sneaking through the hallways during class, chewing gum without obviously moving my jaw, and sliding late homework into the middle of my teachers' boxes. Through the gift of detention, I found time to explore the necessary details and assess the potential of future pranks. Without the mirrors in the hallways meant to preclude students from bumping into one another, I would have never been able to spot hall monitors searching to discover who I was kissing during that particular break. Yes, St. Frances has been a place of learning.
"In all seriousness, something nobody who knows me considers my forte, I can disclose a stunning secret. During all my antics, the class clowning, my annoying questions intentionally meant to frustrate, and the feeble attempts to charm Mrs. T out of the latest, well-deserved consequences, I was actually paying attention. Through your determination and commitment, dear teachers, my intellect was challenged and developed. Through your mercy and grace, dear administrators and staff, I survived to cause trouble in another class for another day. Through your friendship and naïve willingness to follow me into the depths of broken rules, dear classmates, memories of a lifetime were formed. And lest I forget… through the masterful parenting of Owen Hunt and Amelia Shepherd, I was guided, redirected, encouraged, redirected, loved and redirected.
"I am honored to be your valedictorian this year and privileged to hold a high school diploma from this fine institution. Thank you for bringing yourselves into this wondrous book of life."
After the laughter and standing ovation, the ceremonies continued with the guest speaker whose dry message nobody would remember and the presentation of diplomas. When Ryder and the Class President led the class out of the sanctuary, all decorum was set aside as the entire class ran at full tilt down the aisle with cheers and laughter. Ryder had proudly succeeded in pulling off one final prank.
Outside, Julie snapped pictures of Ryder with his friends, and he took selfies with any teacher or administrator he could catch. The event overflowed with joy, unless you were Mama Bear. She stood in the periphery and wept softly as she watched her Baby Bear experience one more rite of passage. With loyalty and tenderness, Papa Bear gripped his strong arm around his grieving wife as they soaked in the bittersweet moment. Although he would deny it later, the sometimes grumpy but deeply loving Papa Bear even shed a few tears of his own.