let them have their beach balls

i went to mass high school graduations today. four to be exact. it sucked.

don't get me wrong, graduating from high school should be celebrated and enjoyed. kids have worked hard (at least a few of them) and should get to enjoy the day.

what drives me crazy is this idea that they're at the pinnacle of their life and they've learned it all and experienced it all. they certainly speak that way in their speeches, which i would expect from teens. what really kills me is that the faculty and school supports this all the while probably feeling as pissed as i and the other 4,000 grown ups living in the real world are. but they sit there glibly, watching for beach balls being tossed around as if this is some danger to the festivities (?).

every year there's an emerson quote that pops up in at least one graduation, something to the effect of don't follow the trail, but blaze your own and leave a trail behind you. this quote is post modernism in a nutshell; a pretentious, arrogant nutshell (and letting 18 year olds pick the theme of their ceremony is awesome). yes graduates, you can't possibly learn from anyone anymore, you're too well equipped and smart thanks to your public school that yes, does happen to be better than all the others! in fact, don't even bother with college because books and professors will only force you onto their path. this quote blithely supports an egotistical teenage mindset in which their preferences, choices and habits are clearly right. and since being a grown up is all about getting your way, class of 2008, get ready to have fun all the time!

in a sick way though, i love the irony of high school commencement for two reasons:

1) a good third of them are already drunk and passed out as i write this and

2) all of them are about to face the smack down of their life as they enter the real world. so class of 2008, enjoy tonight because starting very soon you'll have to actually start being a grown up instead of just pretending. feel the pain and get used to it; life's a cruel mentor and you're her new cell mate.

and i know you think this sounds mean coming from a youth pastor, but this is the one day when i can finally sit back and begin watching you learn what i tried to tell you about life for the last six years!