Last night my twin sons Paul and Wesley joined their fellow Centennial High School Golden Hawk classmates in the graduation class of 2008. We arrived at the football stadium around 6:30 and didn't leave until about 9:30, after all the hats were tossed in the air and the confetti was released by well wishing family members. As far as graduations go this one went off without a hitch. I attend graduation every year at my high school, so it is kind of hard for me to get too worked up, even though this one is so special. This particular class was really large, over 500 strong which I believe is the largest graduation ceremony I have ever attended. After number 503 walked across the stage the parents, friends, and other family members stormed the field. It was kind of liking watching a college football game when the crazy fans rush the field after a big upset. We stood around, hugged my sons, told them how proud we were, and took a few pictures. Normally my two sons have no patience for having their pictures taken but on this night they both were on their best behavior. We then went back to the house for some cake and a few more pictures before my two sons took off to a school sponsored graduation function which they later confessed was a waste of time....The evening went so fast and when I left to come home after 10:00 o'clock, I couldn't believe it was over so quickly. The whole evening just seems so surreal, kinda like a wedding. You spend so much time, money, and effort for the big event, and then, bingo, it is all over like a flash. The whole thing just doesn't seem right. Why can't we drag these things on a bit longer. Why can't the parents have a pep rally before the big event?...or...at least an afterglow bonfire meeting after the graduates have left the field. It just doesn't seem fair that such big and significant events have to be so quick and final...but...it is what it is...and...Now father and sons move on to the next chapter of life. The next chapter has an outline but many of the pages remain blank because it is now time for the father to pass along the pen to the sons who must write the rest of the book. The father will continue to offer guidance and proofreading when and if the sons want or need his assistance but it is now up to the sons to use their own imagination and skills to write the ensuing chapters. The father looks forward to reading the chapters that will develop in the years to come and hopes and prays that the stories will reflect and fulfill the deep longings and desires of the authors who are now part of the graduating class of 2008.