Rain or shine, the Estevan grad day turned into my favourite day of the year.
It took me some time to understand my feelings, but after this year's bubble parade I didn't have any doubts left. I'll repeat many others in saying that it was an amazing event.
Many things about it were incredible. The vaccination effort put in by the entire province that led to easing restrictions allowed for this story to be even discussed in the first place.
The enormous dedication of parents, the planning committee and students themselves made it all possible and turned it into a holiday, not only for those making a step into grown-up life but also for hundreds of others in Estevan and outside of it, as I know many people shared stories and pictures from the day on social media and some people probably travelled to the Energy City to be a part of the grad day.
The community's generosity and support once again reminded me how incredible Estevan is. Not every city of this size can brag about at least how they come together during hard times (tragedies stimulate people to act and support each other more), let alone, first, happy, and second, a traditional moment that one way or the other happens every year. Yes, it looked different this year, but it actually opened up more for community participation, and residents happily jumped into the spirit of the grand celebration.
For the second straight tough year, Estevan honoured its graduates in great style. I can't even recall an event, where I've seen so many people hitting the streets here. Businesses and organizations, no matter where they are located, invested in making signs or decorated their storefronts to beautify the city. Affinity Place looked like it was ready to greet Elon Musk if he would have ended up coming on the same day.
And I don't have enough words to describe how wonderful the grads themselves looked. All done up and dressed in costumes speaking to their individuality, underlining their personalities and all together creating a unique group of bright, talented and beautiful characters with one shared and many individual stories to be told.
If anyone was craving high style events, that day could definitely satisfy an eye that was missing elegant outfits. Some grads were grander, others chose almost casual if not completely casual style, which made the entire picture even more beautiful.
Many nuances made this day special, but I think what touches me the most is the beauty of those young people's faces. On that day, we got to see most of them. They were happy. For a brief moment in their lives, they are absolutely free. The myriads of hopes and plans were reflecting on their faces.
Their interests and passions will take them in different ways. Some probably will make great scientists, and others will summit the digital world. Some will stick to sports careers, others may choose sales. Some will become influencers and others may choose to influence others through a political path. Some one day will finally teach their parents about cryptocurrencies and others probably will teach the kids to read and write. There will be artists and designers, industry workers and hopefully farmers, doctors and vets, engineers and musicians coming out of this great group.
On the grad day, I looked into their faces, beautiful, light, smiling, and I could see that there were no limits for them. Their most important school years fell on the pandemic, and they made it through. Along with teachers and parents, they found a way not only to receive the education but also to stay sane and after all to celebrate.
What were they celebrating, sitting on those bright floats that made anyone looking at them feel better and happier? Life. And that's what graduation day is about. It's the celebration of youth, freedom, opportunities and achievements. It's also a celebration of friendship and comradery. Those kids, sitting side by side under the rain, covering each other with umbrellas, blankets that came out of nowhere or scarves, already learned one of the most important life lessons – they learned how to care about each other. For many of them, those pals will remain one of their biggest supporters, their go tos, those who know and understand them the best. They've been together through a lot, and many of them will stick together, one way or the other, for many years to come.
Altogether it was a beautiful night. And the only thing that I was lacking that night was music. But you know what, I think my inner fanfares were so loud, that others could probably dance to it. Or was it the other people's inner music that I was hearing while watching the floats go by and feeling the happiest I've been in a long time?
