Ceremony

“From your parents you learn love and laughter and how to put one foot before the other. But when books are opened you discover that you have wings.”
– Helen Hayes (b. 1900), American actress, Academy Award winner

I’m pretty shy about being a part of ceremonies or even being publicly recognized for things. I don’t really like being the center of attention too much. It embarrasses me and makes me feel like I may have to produce something to uphold that recognition. I mean…I like recognition but it’s different when it’s in front of a lot of people. It’s harder to deal with.

Even though I’ve been ill, it was important to me, though, to take part in the induction ceremony for Phi Theta Kappa, the international two-year college honor society a few weeks ago.

I’ve worked hard to get a good grade point average. I haven’t always had an easy time of it and it took a lot of work to get back to the point where my grade point average was something to be proud of and something that I could share with others.

I invited all of my family but most of them had previous engagements and couldn’t make it. My dad, however, called me that afternoon and told me that he thought he could make it. He told me that he was coming straight from work so he might be dirty. It didn’t matter. I don’t care if he had grease smudges on his cheeks, blackened hands, and extremely dirty clothes. I was just so honored that he wanted to be there with me to see this happen. I almost cried when he called. I told him that it didn’t matter how he looked.

I was nervous when I got there. I’m not good in crowds and I felt more shy standing there with people I don’t really know. I can tell you that the minute my dad walked through the front doors of the school, I was so proud. My heart leapt with joy that he was there.

I was worried that he would be bored. I was worried that he would think it was silly. He didn’t. He told me that he really enjoyed the whole thing and that he was glad he came. I smiled from the inside out at that.

We had some cake, talked to a few people, then called it a night. He walked me to my car and we hugged before we each headed to our own homes.

I have to say…that was one ceremony I didn’t mind.