Disclaimer:
This is a fictitious story. All characters are fictitious and any resemblance to real people is coincidence. Do not take any information in this story as health advice.
~~~
"I've been invited to my graduation," said Maggie.
"That's wonderful," replied Jenny.
"I'm allowed to invite up to three people. The first person will be free but I have to but tickets for the other two," said Maggie.
"I guess the university needs to cut costs," replied Jenny, "I'm sure that your parents will be very proud of you and be honoured to attend the ceremony."
"I'm not inviting them," said Maggie.
"Really? May I ask why?" asked Jenny.
"My parents haven't spoken to me since they found out about my... my... sexual preferences," answered Maggie.
"That's..." Jenny started to say and then changed her tone, "It's not my business to judge your parents."
"Please do," encouraged Maggie, "They've judged me."
Jenny bit her lip but when she saw that Maggie was waiting for her to say something, she said, "If I was your parent I would be very proud of you. I would be honoured to share your celebration. One's sexual preferences do not... no, should not, change a parent's support for his or her child."
"I was hoping to invite you and Joe to celebrate with me," said Maggie.
"Really?" asked Jenny and then said when Maggie nodded, "I'm honoured and I accept," Jenny gave Maggie a hug, "And I accept for both of us."
Maggie had tears in her eyes as she said, "Thank you."
~~~
The following Monday, Jenny returned to Joe's home after collecting the mail from her home. She said to Maggie, "I've received a letter from your university," As she opened it. She read the letter and Joe comforted her when he saw tears in her eyes.
"What's happened?" asked Joe.
Jenny replied, "Lucy is graduating... post humorously. She topped her year. They've invited me to accept her degree at the graduation ceremony and to make a short speech as the valedictorian," she looked into Joe's eyes for comfort.
"Well I'm not surprised," said Joe as he cuddled her, "We always knew that Lucy was smart," Maggie joined in on the cuddle.
Jenny separated from the cuddle and Joe said, "So... what will you say?"
"I don't know," answered Jenny, "I'm not sure yet if I'll accept."
"You've got to," said Maggie.
Jenny looked at Maggie and said, "I've never spoken in front of a large crowd. I don't know how I'll perform. I might embarrass myself."
Joe said, "You spoke at Dan's memorial and you did very well. You'll be fine."
"Do you think so?" asked Jenny.
"Yes," answered Joe so confidently that Jenny also felt confident.
"This is great," said Maggie, "I don't have to pay for an extra ticket."
They all laughed and Jenny immediately felt that she was going to perform well at the graduation.
~~~
Graduation day arrived. Jenny was seated with the boffins on the stage as each student was called to accept their certificate. She sat at the end of a row of deans, professors, dignitaries and staff as the chancellor handed each student their certificate. She watched the chancellor congratulate each student as he shook their hand.
Jenny was bored and nervous. She glanced at the woman sitting beside her. She was beautiful in her confidence and poise. Jenny didn't even know this woman's name bit she tried to imitate the woman's confidence. The woman looked at Jenny briefly and smiled. She then continued to show, probably false, interest in the ceremony.
Jenny paid attention to the proceedings because she realised that this ceremony was one of the most important events, of not only the students' lives, but also those who were privileged to attend. She looked for Maggie in the crowd but all she saw were students dressed in very similar ceremonial gowns. It was too hard to find Maggie's face in amongst that lot.
Jenny then tried to find Joe in the crowd of guests. She thought it would be easier because those people were not dressed in similar gowns. She found Joe and saw that he was watching her. He smiled and have her a slight nod. She smiled back, temporarily breaking her poise. She bit her lip, lifted her nose slightly and continued to watch the ceremony. She saw Joe smile more broadly and she tried very hard to not smile.
Jenny felt the woman beside her move slightly and heard her whisper, "Did you find your guest?"
Jenny looked at the woman who appeared to be stoic. She realised that they weren't supposed to be talking but whispered, "Yes," as she faked watching the chancellor.
"Good, you'll be fine," whispered the woman with minimal movement of her lips.
"Thanks," whispered Jenny and felt reassured.
"Unfortunately the valedictorian," said the chancellor. It was jenny's turn and she felt cold, "is unable to be here today," continued the chancellor and Jenny felt relived that he wasn't going to mention that Lucy was dead. The chancellor said, "However, we are honoured to have her mother here to accept her degree.
"On behalf of this year's valedictorian, Lucy... um G, please welcome to the podium, Mrs Jenny G," Jenny stood up and walked towards the chancellor. He handed her Lucy's degree and shook Jenny's hand. He then gestured to the podium and sat down.
Jenny stood behind the podium and looked down at the certificate, bundled up in pink tape, that she held in her hand. She felt overwhelmingly proud of Lucy. She looked up at the chancellor and said into the microphone, "Thank you chancellor, I'm very proud to accept this degree on Lucy's behalf."
Jenny realised that she had already made a mistake. Her speech was supposed to start with recognition of the faculty members, 'Oh well,' she thought, 'better late than never.'
Jenny looked out at the crowd and then at the facility members and said, "Esteemed staff members," she then looked back at the crowd and said, "Student guests and most importantly, students.
"I'm sure that all the guests here today are just as proud of their children or friends as I am of receiving this degree on behalf of my daughter, Lucy. But today is about those who are becoming bachelors, masters or doctors.
"These certificates," said Jenny, as she held Lucy's degree high up in the air, "prove to the world that you are able to learn. You have attended this university as students not to be taught but to learn how to learn. You've heard this all before but now you've proven that you have that knowledge.
"What you do from now on is not only important for your career but also to how the world will work. This document gives you the power to change the world. You may not choose a career that is written on these certificates," and again Jenny held up Lucy's degree, "but whatever you choose to do, you have the power to affect the world.
"These documents give you the power to prove that you know how to learn. The power to stand up and confidently say something. The power to influence what the future of all of us will be. The power to make changes for the good of humanity and, more importantly, the good of the earth and all its inhabitants, including non-humans.
"You have the power the do good, so I implore you, to use that power as best as you can for the good of all of earth.
"Thank you."
Jenny turned and walked to her allocated seat as the audience clapped. She sat to see the chancellor approach the podium. First the students stood up and clapped followed by their guests. Jenny realised that this applause was at bit bigger than that for the other speakers. Then the students held up their certificates and started to chant, "POWER! POWER! POWER!..."
The chancellor held up both his hands for silence but the students kept chanting. He turned to Jenny and held out his hand towards her as he said into the microphone, "Mrs Jenny G."
When the audience kept on chanting, "POWER! POWER!..." the chancellor gestured for Jenny to approach the podium and said again, "Mrs Jenny G."
Jenny stood up and approached at the podium. The chancellor looked sternly into her eyes as they passed and whispered, "Fix this."
Jenny held up both arms for silence and the students stopped chanting. Jenny gestured for the students to sit which they did. She said, "Thank you.
"I'm sure that your guests and faculty members are very keen to congratulate you on your successes. I also believe that there are refreshments," and she looked at the chancellor who nodded his affirmation, "are waiting for us all outside somewhere. I for one could do with a drink," and with that there was laughter from the audience, "so please, let the ceremony continue and we can all enjoy your successes," With that, the audience clapped so Jenny held out her hand towards the chancellor, as he did to her, and said, "Chancellor."
The chancellor took the podium and the proceedings continued. Jenny again took her seat and the woman sitting next to her whispered, "Well done."
The chancellor led the proceedings out of the hall followed by the distinguished staff, students and finally the guests.
The chancellor approached Jenny and said, "That was a very, inspirational, speech Mrs G."
"Thank you," replied Jenny.
The chancellor smiled and said, "I have duties to fulfil, students to congratulate and guests to meet. Good day," as he turned and spoke to other people.
Jenny was relieved that the chancellor didn't reprimand her. A lady walked up to Jenny and said, "Professor Mary Jones. That was a very inspirational speech Mrs G. Have you thought of studying political science?"
Jenny was taken back, she had never considered tertiary education since she had never completed secondary education. She replied, "No... no I haven't."
"I'm sure that you would do well in politics," said Professor Jones.
Jenny had gathered herself and said, "I don't think so."
"Why not?" asked Professor Jones.
"I... I'm not very good at lying," answered Jenny.
"Oh," said Professor Jones with a little laugh, "Yes I understand. Currently, politics doesn't have a good name for itself. Well, if you change your mind, you know where you can enrol," and with that Professor Jones walked away to chat to some other people.
Many academics congratulated Jenny on her speech. Jenny was wanting to leave when someone behind her said, "Drink?" Jenny turned to see the woman, who was sitting next to her at the ceremony, holding out a glass of white wine towards Jenny.
"Thank you," said Jenny. The woman smiled at Jenny as Jenny took the glass of wine and drank nearly all of its contents in one go. Jenny said, "I needed that."
The woman smiled then said, "So you said," She held out her hand and introduced herself, "I'm Professor Max McInnes, Mrs G. I presume."
"Yes, um... Jenny please," replied Jenny as she shook the professor's hand, "Pleased to meet you Professor... Max?"
"It's actually Maxine but I prefer Max," replied Professor Max, "I love the expression on my correspondents' faces when they meet me for the first time. They are, usually, expecting a man."
Jenny looked Professor Max up and down and said, "Well you are obviously all women."
"Thank you for noticing," replied Professor Max with a smile and nod.
Jenny bit her lip and said, "I'm sorry, I... I'm a bit overwhelmed with all this."
Professor Max offered Jenny the other glass of wine and said, "You probably need this more than I. I haven't yet tasted it."
Jenny took the wine and drank most of it. She looked at the professor, who was still smiling. Jenny wondered if the professor was judging her and said, "I'm not an alcoholic."
The professor smiled more broadly and nodded her head. Jenny then smiled and said, "I'm just... nervous about giving my speech."
