The "Moving On To Greater Achievements" Story

Granddaughter Camille enters her graduation in her bright blue
dress in front of the wall of stars which feature every student.

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting in a metal chair in the gymna- sium/audi- torium of Centerville Elementary School in Urbana, Maryland watching the graduating class of 2015 march in and sit in their chairs.  Today is the graduation of this class from 5th grade to Middle School and my granddaughter, Camille, is part of the class.  

Camille catches a glimpse of me with my camera.

Sad to say, but she is the final grand- daughter to leave this school since my older grand- daughter, Courtney, graduated from Centerville two years ago.  The ceremony consisted of the principal of the school talking about the class and their teachers and announcing the departure of one of 5th grade teachers to another school as well as the retirement of another of the 5th grade teachers.  

The principal addresses the parents and family.

Applause was loud from the audience and students for both of these great teachers.  Then the principal addressed the class telling them about the great things they can expect at the next level of their education in the Middle School located across the road from the building where they now sit.  Then it was time for a slide show of all the homerooms showing group shots and many individual shots which naturally drew laughter from the class members.  

The class sings "Over The Rainbow" which brought
both smiles and tears of joy.

Then the choir director took the stage and led the class in a really neat rendition of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" which naturally brought tears to the eyes of many in attendance.  After the song the principal told the parents and family members that the students would be heading to the playground to meet with them for photos.  Carol and I were joined by Linda and Joe, Camille's other grandparents as well Camille's parents, our son-in-law Dave and our daughter Brynn.  

Camille celebrates with mom and dad.

The weather was perfect with a slight spring breeze and a bright sun.  Smartphones filled the majority of the hands of parents with the remainder, including myself, holding the soon-to-be-outdated DSLR cameras.  Must have taken a couple of hundred shots of Camille with her family and then with her friends and their families.  Great time which seemed to end too soon, for you see, time passes so quickly as grandchildren grow older.  They are passing through childhood at what seems like record speed and before long they will be graduating from high school and college.  Oh, the joys of being a grandparent.  But please, can't we slow down the process of aging?  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Carol and I with granddaughter Camille.

Camille gathers with her mom and other friends and moms.