Chapter 19

Isaac waited with the other students in the cafeteria for their graduation ceremony to begin. He could not believe how fast the last five weeks had gone. It seemed like just yesterday that he was trying to get through the school year and find a job. Now he was actually graduating and would be starting at Iowa State in two weeks. What a blur.

Principal Clemons walked in to let the students know the ceremony was about to begin and they needed to quiet down and get in line. Isaac wandered to the middle of the line and got in behind the “Js.” Having a “K” name is not too bad. Teachers liked to assign things by the alphabet, and many tried to be clever and go from “Z” to “A” sometimes. Being in the middle was the middle no matter which way they chose to assign things. Isaac felt something buzz past his head and turned quickly. He saw Todd staring at him from the back of the line smiling and waving. Isaac looked to the floor to see what Todd had tossed at him, but he was too late; Aaron had already picked up the wad of paper and hurled it at someone else. The students all giggled and laughed; the teachers and administrators all rolled their eyes at this outburst. “Okay, Okay, that is enough. We need you to pay attention,” Principal Clemons said, waving his hands to get everyone’s attention. Soon the group of upcoming graduates settled down and finished forming their line. As the music started, the line began moving forward into the football field. As they entered, Isaac looked up to see his entire family, including his grandparents on his mother’s side, waving in his direction. Like it was tough to find a group that large of people he knew very well. Isaac noticed his mom was holding her phone to record the ceremony and crying at the same time. “That will be one messed up video.” Isaac laughed to himself.

As the group of graduating students took their seats on the grass field, Principal Clemons stepped to the podium to welcome everyone to this commencement ceremony. At that point, Isaac kind of zoned out. In two weeks, he would be on campus in Ames. Just when he thought he would be starting his entry-level manual labor job, he would be on campus preparing to start on his engineering degree. What a turnaround in his life. He felt extremely humbled and nervous. Those emotions had continued to flood over him these last few weeks. Isaac went from I don’t deserve this to How can I really think I can pull this off? What happens when they find out that I am not good enough and they pull my scholarship? back and forth in his mind. Finally, he made up his mind that this was his one shot, and he would work harder than anyone else to prove he deserved to stay there. As Isaac’s mind came back to the present, their valedictorian was just finishing her speech. There was a round of applause from everyone in the stands and in the seats surrounding him. Hmm, it must have been a good speech. Wonder what it was about, Isaac asked himself. Maybe I should have listened, he thought sheepishly. It was now time to recognize the students that had received special awards or scholarships or were joining the armed forces. The fourth name on the list was Isaac Kramer. Never in a million years did he expect to hear his name and football scholarship in the same sentence, but today it happened. “Next on our list, Isaac Kramer—football scholarship—Iowa State University.” With that announcement, his family burst out in applause and whistling. Isaac stood to be recognized but kept his gaze on the ground. “God, I know this was all You. Thank You so much,” Isaac said quietly as he stared at his shoes. The next thing on the program was the handing out of diplomas. Here is when it gets real, Isaac thought. I am about to graduate and be an adult. No more going back now, he told himself. Row by row, the students rose and joined the line to the right edge of the makeshift stage at the fifty-yard line of the field. I am going to miss this school and playing on this field, he thought as he proceeded to the steps leading up to the stage.

“Isaac Kramer,” Mrs. Baldwin called out from the list of students. Okay, don’t trip. Don’t trip, Isaac said to himself as he worried about the length of his gown. Why didn’t I have mom hem it up? Isaac said to himself. It took him six quick steps to get where Principal Clemons was standing with the diplomas. He handed one to Isaac and motioned to the photographer as he reached out his right hand to shake Isaac’s hand. Good job, no fumble on the handoff of the diploma, now smile, Isaac encouraged himself through a play-by-play. Good smile, now eleven steps to the edge of the stage. You can do this. Careful! Don’t trip, Isaac thought as he concentrated on each step. Good, now three steps, and you are good, Isaac continued to encourage himself. As Isaac got to the grass field, he stepped on the edge of his gown and started to trip but was able to catch himself before he went down. Stay focused! he quickly reminded himself. Finally, Isaac made it back to his seat and quickly sat down. Whew, that was very close, he thought to himself.

After the last student received their diploma, it was their class president’s turn to speak to their classmates. He requested all of his classmates to stand and move the tassel from the right side to the left side of their hat. With that, he announced that they were graduates! Isaac and his friends burst into a cheer and threw their hats into the air as their family and friends cheered from the stands.

As the ceremony broke up into each family taking dozens of photos of their graduate with each family member and each of their friends, Isaac was doing the same thing with his family. Photos of Isaac alone, Isaac with parents, Isaac with grandparents, Isaac with brothers, Isaac with sisters, all five kids together. All five kids with parents, all five kids with grandparents, on and on it went. Finally, after they could not come up with another combination, Isaac reminded his parents that Todd’s family was having a BBQ at their home to celebrate. “Yes, we are planning on going; we just need to stop by our house first to grab the potato salad and cooler of water that we are bringing to share,” Isaac’s mom shared. “Sounds good,” Isaac replied. Just then, he noticed Todd’s family heading toward the parking lot. “See you at your house,” Isaac called out. “Great,” replied Todd. With that, Isaac said goodbye to his grandparents, thanking them for coming today. Hugs all around, and the Kramers piled into their SUV for the drive to their house. As they pulled up to the house, Ruth passed out orders to each of her children. “Isaac, I need you to open the garage door for me,” she asked. “Sure,” Isaac replied as he walked to the detached one-car garage that was used to store items instead of parking a car inside. As Isaac slid the solid wooden door to the side, he noticed a shiny blue ten-speed bicycle sitting inside with a bow on it. Quickly, he turned around to see his entire family standing there watching him. “What is this? It looks like my old bike,” Isaac said. “It started off as your old bike. Your father repainted it and put on new tires and new brakes,” his mom shared. “It even has LED lights in front and back of it,” Joshua blurted out. “We thought you would need something to help you get around campus in Ames,” his dad added. “This is awesome! Thank you so much,” Isaac responded. “We wish we could have gotten you something bigger for your graduation, but it was not possible this year,” his mom said. “This is great!” Isaac replied. “Thank you all.” Isaac wiped a tear from his eye.

Isaac felt the love of his family as they piled back into their SUV for the short drive to the Summer’s home. Pastor Dan was manning the grill as kids ran around their yard and adults gathered in groups chatting. The Kramer clan spread out to join their friends and mingle. After several hours and way too much food, they headed back home to end their day.

As Isaac climbed into the upper bunk, he lay there staring at the ceiling. That was a good day, he thought to himself. Such a good day.