Gladuation

     He’s a kid who never lost his sense of wonder, that quality life seems to beat out of most of us once we hit the age of reason. He’s still curious about almost anything you introduce to him, even at the age of 18.
     He gets lost in his own music – I guess it to be a form of meditation for him – and it makes for some fine notes when he enters that zone.
     He is resolutely kind -- to his elderly grandmother, to a developmentally disabled friend, to anyone I’ve ever seen him near – in a way I wish I could be.  His tenderness toward his mother in her final illness was palpable.
     And he’s absurdly, guilelessly handsome, and this isn’t just a proud aunt talkin’.
     OK, so he’s also sloppy and absent-minded and a little on the dreamy side, but all of us are package deals.
     Now, he’s graduated from high school and I couldn’t be more proud of him or excited about his future. Saturday was his graduation party and I pray the warm, sunny weather we had is just an omen for what lies ahead for him.
     Godspeed, Mr. Gregory. Keep making us proud.