graduation gala: their beautiful existence

fresh flowers garland the chapel
pews packed with impatient parents-turned-photographers
processional of the students two-by-two up the aisle
to wed themselves to gratitude for what this school has given them
and to possibilities for their futures out in the human race

"be thou my vision..." to see your beauty in every baccalaureate face

"morning has broken..." on the festivities to farewell them from this place

"and he will raise you up on eagle's wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of his hand"


benediction and recessional,
round tables dotting the covered courts,
set with the school's fancy creamy-speckled ceramic plates, cups etc,
con candles, foil-wrapped chocolates, slightly doctored bottles of KISAQUA ^_^

the menu: sweet lime water, dragon fish, stir fried vegetables, steamed rice, chicken tikka, mint chutney, dhall makhani, palak paneer, parathas, pappadam, curd, chocolate cake and kulfi, mmm

the speaker for the evening was Paul Wiebe, who was principal of KIS from 1986-2001, but attended it and served in various capacities on staff and board since 1930-something. PhD in sociology, a history buff, sort of a Santa Claus figure in the way of his generous smiles, and rivets the whole crowd with seemingly endless stories of some of the special people who have passed through Kodai School. then later lets my mother and me know in no uncertain terms that we are his family. that is definitely an honor that touches my heart, to be considered 'family' by this wonderful wise old man. i love Dr. Wiebe, and his never-fail saying: "this is my school; this is your school; this is our school together"

yes, we've all been KISed

commencement took place the next morning on the covered courts,
oh weirdness seeing all those little people on the stage,
seeing another valedictorian cry through words of love to her classmates
poitavanga, go and come;
poitavarain, you will see me again

then the semi-circle line-up to shake their hands,
hug the tearful ones, take pictures,
spin around with my sister for a few minutes,
go get milk-tea and mixture and date bars
on plates of banana leaves and newspaper sewn together
stand in the sun, sit on the warm stone wall
say hello, hello, hello, to former teachers and dormparents and ayahs
say goodbye, goodbye, goodbye to the graduates

adios; va y ven; poitavanga, personas bellas