Senior Recognition at RHS

Today, Jeni and I sat and watched the senior class of 2006 be recognized for their individual accomplishments and receive their scholarships. Among those recognized was our oldest son Patrick. Amazing. What seems a few short years ago, I sat alone in the auditorium of my high school, the acoustics so good and the quiet so real I could hear the second hand move its way around the face on the wall clock. My own graduation approaching, thoughts about the future I faced and the address I would make certainly occupied my thoughts. The slow tick, in perfect sync to the second is as loud to me now as it was then, and just as relentless. A half-hearted attempt using non-existent skills made popular by a certain cinematic trilogy only proved what I already knew, time will stand still for no one and no reason. Fast forward to today where, in 9 days, Patrick will accept his diploma and begin the next stage of this education we call life. At once such a short time has passed, yet in that time so many changes. When we moved to MS from Texas, Patrick started kindergarten in the only school located in Ridgeland, the middle and upper schools located in and shared with our neighboring city of Madison. Twelve short years later, Ridgeland has four schools and Patrick's class has the distinction of being the first to leave each old school and enter a new one, each one finished just in time to accommodate the advancing students. Such a short time, and such a seemingly long time as Jeni and I recognize the fact that we will be watching two more recognition ceremonies. Eric will be sitting in front of us in six years and Kaitie will take her place seven years after that. The fifteen years that seems like such a long time now will most likely be reflected upon in a manner similar to this one, a time of reflection mixed with moments of sadness and pride. Patrick leaves the top performing Titan Band, a proud founding member of a group to receive only superior ratings since its beginning, a group that marched 85 per cent freshman its first year, yet took overall third in regional competition. Patrick graduates, and Eric steps into the 6th grade band, chosen to play the same instrument as Patrick, Kaitie was only 10 days old at her first band competition and is already irrevocably hooked. Such a short time, such a lifetime. Congratulations Patrick, we are very proud of the person you have become.