Graduation Day

A day tinged with sadness. Customs and practises in Spain are very different from the U.K, Julia passed away at yesterday at 0435 and her funeral service is today at 1045, the same day as my daughter Sarah’s graduation from Marjon University in Plymouth.
Due to circumstances beyond their control neither Sarah or my granddaughter Anais could travel so it was decided to go ahead and attend the graduation ceremony.

Plymouth Guildhall is an impressive setting for any ceremony and today’s was no exception. I tried to video as much as I could so that son-in-law Manolo and grandson Luis could see and hear it and at the same time enjoy Sarah’s achievements.

A graduation ceremony is also referred to as “commencement” or “convocation”. After walking the stage, Sarah went from from “graduand” to “graduate” over the course of the graduation ceremony. We got to hear from esteemed faculty members, guest speakers, who under Covid guidelines tipped their hats to the Chancellor rather than shake his hand.

On to the Crown Plaza where we joined family members for afternoon tea and a catch up with each other, ten stories up the views were not too shabby either. The celebrations were muted, everyone there had met Julia and our thoughts were with Manolo.

Eventually we caught the bus back to Sarah’s , absolutely shattered after an emotionally draining day we were all in bed before 9:00pm.

A day to remember.