The Graduate

In the 1967 movie, The Graduate, featuring Dustin Hoffman as Benjamin, there is a scene with Benjamin, the new graduate from college, with his neighbor,Mr. McGuire. At a graduation party, McGuire whispers to rudderless Benjamin, "I want to say one word to you. Just one word. Are you listening Benjamin?" Benjamin responds, "Yes, I am." McGuire unloads, "Plastics." Benjamin asks in return, "Just how do you mean that?"

Recently, our #3, a son, graduated from college. And for some strange reason, with each passing graduation I tend to think of that movie. I recall that line about "plastics" and frankly cringe. With each passing graduation that line becomes more irrelevant. For the event of graduation seems to me to be more about a young person starting a journey of self discovery in lieu of starting a journey of becoming stale and nonviable quickly.

As a father of four, college graduation day is one of my proudest moments. Graduation is not only a gift to our sons and daughter but a gift to me as their Dad. It marks a milestone and is one of the true joys of fatherhood.

Graduation represents the hard work for the student and mutual support of the student and parents. There are shared successes and failures. But at the end of the road, the graduate has something that can never be taken away from him or her. A diploma signifying study, accomplishment, responsibility and promise.

So, heartfelt congratulations to our son. With an Engineering degree in hand, he heads East for two years of service. He will be working with the Jesuits at Cristo Rey High School on the Hispanic West side of Chicago.

You see plastics can wait. But the adventure of living fully continues.

God speed, Jack.