Kim and I visited our good friends a couple weeks ago to see my business partner’s wife (the partner of my partner is not my partner) graduate from Oregon State University.
During the ceremony, they celebrated those who were serving in the armed forces. They these individuals stand up and they recognized them one by one. I have always had deep respect for those sacrifice who their time (and those who pay the ultimate price) for our freedom but I was deeply moved with the visual of them standing up above everyone else. I’m grateful I caught it on camera…
On a side note, taking a 7 month old to a graduation ceremony isn’t easy. As I was taking him out into the main corridor and walking him back and forth, I saw a sobbing mother at one end and a young guy who was holding his diploma over his head walking towards her. He had a massive smile on his face and when they finally met they embraced. His mother, through her sobbing said, “You did it… you did it…”
I was moved by this too. 🙂 I did not graduated from college (as you might be able to tell by my language skills) and although I know that college wasn’t right for me, I still would love to have finished to make my parents proud. I know they’re proud now… but it’ll always be something I think about.
Witnessing these two happenings was a double whammy for me. It was like watching WALL-E and Benjamin Button at the same time… I sobbed like a little girl in both. (Yes WALL-E if you can believe it…)
This post might be more revealing then you wanted…
The Daily Focal Point 
Awwwwww. Schmoopyscerdabelies. That was a sweet post. And a great picture. I cried at that moment during the ceremony as well.
Comment by Abby — June 30, 2009 @ 7:56 pm
OH. And thanks for coming. It wouldn’t have been the same without you.
Comment by Abby — June 30, 2009 @ 7:57 pm
Nice shot Cabe.
Comment by Carlos Bohorquez Nassar — June 30, 2009 @ 9:55 pm
oh my, this photo is awesome! what a great moment to have captured! i’m sure i would have bawled like a baby!
Comment by mary elizabeth — July 1, 2009 @ 5:53 am
Ok… let me set the record straight… I didn’t really “Bawl Like a Baby”
Comment by Cabe — July 1, 2009 @ 9:29 am
Yes, you did. And during Wall-E, too.
Comment by Abby — July 1, 2009 @ 10:19 am
Cabe. It’s okay. You’re among friends. 🙂
And it WAS a lovely moment. I teared as well.
Comment by Kimba — July 1, 2009 @ 1:26 pm
love the photo and the sentiment!
Comment by Hilary — July 1, 2009 @ 3:09 pm
Absolutely love the photo! Cabe. (I confess, I didn’t like Wall-E. I thought it was a huge commercial about environmentalism.) I know, I’m a heretic. But I do love your sentimentalism and that YOU loved it.
Comment by fromthebackdeck — July 1, 2009 @ 10:44 pm
Fantastic shot!!
Comment by 12littlefeet — July 20, 2009 @ 7:57 pm
only girls cry during movies, especially Disney movies. now i might understand if you cried during empire strikes back when they freeze han solo in carbonite but walle. oh well i still love you
Comment by tyler — July 29, 2009 @ 10:01 am