Graduation

My daughter graduated from college on Sunday and all the ancient symbols and ceremony were in full display, from the grand marshal who led the celebrants in, to commencement speeches and awarding of honorary doctorates. The occasion was meant to mark a milestone in a young person’s life — the end of formal education, unless one is going on to a postgraduate experience — and the beginning of work life. Monday was reality day — packing up to go home and incipient worries about work. The lofty communications of the commencement ceremony were gone but for the memory.  Call graduation ceremonies an academic public relations exercise and you will be on the mark. But, it is a wonderful and moving affirmation of education.