May 9, 2008
"If at first you don't succeed, do it like your mother told you in the first place," (Author Unknown).
Some of us are slow learners when it comes to heeding and understanding our mothers' advice. In fact, it can take decades.
I know because I am 61 years old (I do not mind saying), and I am just now doing what my mother told me to do in 1969.
"Wear your cap and gown and go to your college graduation. You will regret it if you don't," my mother advised 39 years ago.
Did I listen?
Of course not.
It was the 60s and wearing a cap and gown was "so establishment".
Certainly, some graduates did listen to their mothers back then. However, at that point in time, I was head strong, independent, and shall we say, too rebellious to pay attention.
My post-graduation employers, Ben and Ludmilla Weir of The Examiner, joined in my mother's chorus and told me to "walk across the stage" to receive my diploma rather than receive it by mail.
Once again, I did not listen.
As I said earlier, some of us are slow learners.
But eventually, I came full circle.
This past weekend, I had the honor and distinct pleasure of presenting a faculty award and making a short speech at a college commencement.
Imagine my "déjà vu" when I was told I would be wearing a cap and gown signifying the university where I graduated. The hood colors on the robe would designate my degree and field of study.
After 39 years I was finally walking across a college commencement stage wearing a cap and gown and could not have been happier about it.
I should have listened to my mother in the first place, however.
Therefore, my advice comes freely here and now to all prospective high school and college graduates--don your cap and gown and do not miss your own commencement exercises.
Yes, the temperature inside a stuffy gymnasium will be hot. Yes, the speaker may be boring. Yes, the entire affair may seem juvenile to you. Yes, high school or college is already "so yesterday".
But a graduation ceremony will never seem silly or frivolous to your mother.
Taking her advice could be the best Mother's Day gift you could ever give her.
Note to moms: give this story to offspring if you need ammo.
