Most Excellent Graduation

Late with the blog today because it is Mother’s Day and my time is appropriately not my own. 

A lot of fun yesterday as we journeyed up to the granite state to attend the graduation ceremony for my son’s Most Excellent Girlfriend.  She had earned her MBA in the midst of the ten thousand other things she somehow accomplishes on an almost daily basis.  My daughter and son in law accompanied us as far as the MEG’s hometown where we joined our son and the MEG, as well as the MEG’s parents. 

Son in Law, Daughter, Son, and Wife Linking Up at Meg's House

Since tickets to the graduation were limited my daughter and her significant other took in a movie while the rest of us journeyed up to Manchester for the graduation ceremony.  This turned out to be a real win for them as they found a movie theater with fully reclining seats and enjoyed some alone time with each other.

In Our Seats With MEG's Parents

The graduation ceremony promised to be a long affair when I saw the thousands of seats lying in wait for the graduates.  We obtained some seats in the upper level directly overlooking the stage but this was still pretty far up.  I was steeling myself for a long time when the ceremony started with of all things – A BAGPIPE BAND!!!!!  Anyone who’s read this blog knows that this was a very big thing and pleasant surprise for me.

The Band!!!!!

The keynote speaker was Bob Ryan, an accomplished Boston sportswriter, who gave a very entertaining and down to earth speech.  The reading of the graduates names took as long as expected but I took a lot of pleasure watching the different groups of family and friends react when their graduate’s name was read.  After the ceremony we linked up with the MEG for pictures outside the arena and dodged a huge group of Saudis dancing to celebrate the graduation of some of their sons and daughters.  It was interesting to see how nervous this made the people watching.

The Graduates - Every One of Their Names Was Called

The MEG Proudly Showing Off her Prize

The MEG’s parents had dropped her graduation card on the walk to the arena so we kept an eye out for it on our way back.  Just short of the car we found it lying on the street.  Obviously someone had found it and opened it and when there was no money included rapidly discarded it.  The card was reunited with its envelope and properly conveyed to the MEG.

Son and MEG After the Ceremony

MEG Cat Suffering From My Son's Attentions

A quick journey back to the MEG’s hometown saw us reunited with my daughter and we enjoyed a quick snack while being entertained by a pair of very large cats.  My son has appointed himself as chief torturer of said felines with a favorite weapon being a laser pointer.

The Stonehedge Inn - Great Place

The MEG’s parent’s treated us all to a celebration dinner at a very exclusive restaurant – The Stonehedge Inn in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts. The waiter was very entertaining if a bit condescending.  He did provide tremendous service and the food was fantastic.  Everything paled to the excellence of the company as we enjoyed a truly fabulous time celebrating the MEG’s accomplishment.  It’s so cool to find great friends so late in life – the MEG’s parents seem like lifelong friends although we’ve known them for only a year.

Seated in the Stonehedge

Myself, Daughter, and Son in Law

With our reluctant parting we now faced the task of returning home a few hours later than we planned.  There was a certain black lab whose planned seven hour stay in the cage had been extended to 13 hours.  We hurried inside prepared for a disaster but found him calmly stretching from a long nap, more importantly in a completely dry cage.  I let him out to relieve what must have been some pretty severe pressure but he immediately noted the presence of my son and decided greeting him was more important.  I eventually convinced him that he probably should take care of nature’s call (Buddy not my son).  Such a great day.

My Beautiful Date and I