This past May was a very exciting time for my wife and me as parents. For the second year in a row, we had the high privilege and honor (along with both sets of grandparents) to see one of our daughters go through a college graduation. In May, 2007 we saw our elder daughter graduate from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science degree, and this past May, we saw our second daughter graduate from Spartanburg Methodist College with her Associate of Arts degree.
Needless to say, pictures were taken, hugs were given and memories were shared at both ceremonies. Our elder daughter has moved on to the Medical University of South Carolina where she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Pharmacology, and our second daughter has moved on to the College of Charleston where she is pursuing a Bachelors degree in Education. (And so our other two children don't feel left out, our third daughter received a letter of admission with a scholorship to Young Harris College this past week, and our son made all A's).
Back to the story.
One of the things that made this past May very interesting and unusual was the processional and recessional. Actually, it was the difference that was glaringly apparent during the processional and recessional.
(By the way, my father-in-law lost his monopod for his camera during the ceremony, so if anyone knows where it is, please let me know and I will pass it on).
What was glaringly apparent was the difference. 20 inches of difference.
Our daughter, you see, is approximately 5’2” in height. And of course, her last name is Lane.
They had everyone lined up in alphabetical order, and the name “Knox” came just before “Lane”. Brendon Knox was seated next to my daughter. He is 6’10” tall. 20 inches taller than her. It was so strange to see them standing beside each other, because he simply towered over her.
Needless to say, Brendon played basketball for Spartanburg Methodist. A very good basketball player, in fact. So good, in fact, that he signed a scholarship with Auburn University right out of Spartanburg Methodist College. He has begun pre-season practice and workouts getting ready for the 2008-09 season at Auburn.
In an interview with Auburn Coach Jeff Lebo earlier today, Lebo told AuburnSports.com that Knox has the potential to be very good, and "does some stuff that makes your eyes pop out every once in a while”. I can understand that. He certainly made mine pop out when I saw him standing next to my daughter at graduation this past May.
War Eagle!
WJLaneSR
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Festum Omnium Sanctorum
Saturday is Festum Omnium Sanctorum….All Saints Day. In fact, every November 1st is. Most churches celebrate this day on the first Sunday of November.
The origin of All Saints Day goes back to 609 A.D. when Pope Boniface IV consecrated the Pantheon in Rome to the memory of the Virgin Mary and to all people who had been martyred for their faith in Jesus Christ.
In medieval times, the translation from the Latin “Festum Omnium Sanctorum” into old English became “All Hallowmas”. Hallow means sanctify or consecrate, which is why when we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we prayer “Hallowed be Thy Name.” Mas means mass, which is a holy service of remembrance where the Lord’s Supper is celebrated. So “All Hallowmas” was a day when all the saints were remembered, and the celebration of memory to “do this in remembrance of me” took place. All Saints Day.
Of course, you can now understand where the term “All Hallows Eve”, the day before “All Hallowmas” comes from. All Hallows Eve became shortened to “Halloween”, which is October 31. And Friday evening I expect my front yard to be enundated with little ghosts and goblins and spidermen and Harry Potters and Miley Cyrus's.
This year on All Saints Day, the Auburn Tigers and the Ole Miss Rebels square off in Oxford, Mississippi. And being a faithful fan I will be watching and cheering my Auburn Tigers. I hope, and fully expect, to see them play for 4 full quarters. I want to see an effort in the second half I haven't yet seen.
Others of you may be watching and cheering the Bulldogs or Gators as they square off….or the Volunteers or Gamecocks….or Cornhuskers or Sooners, or whoever your favorite team may be.
But we all need to remember that these games are not the most important thing taking place on Saturday, November 1. The most important thing taking place is a day the church, for almost 1400 years, has set aside to remember those who have gone on to their heavenly reward because of their faith.
Each of you reading this knows someone. Maybe a friend. Maybe parents. Grandparents. Relatives. Ministers. Neighbors. Maybe even children. People you know and love who are no longer with us on this earth, but who now call "heaven" home. Take a moment on Saturday to remember them. And thank God for them. For what they meant and continue to mean to you.
On Sunday, the church I attend will be celebrating communion. If the Lord is willing, I will be there…..taking the bread and wine….in remembrance. All Saints Sunday.
WJLaneSR.
The origin of All Saints Day goes back to 609 A.D. when Pope Boniface IV consecrated the Pantheon in Rome to the memory of the Virgin Mary and to all people who had been martyred for their faith in Jesus Christ.
In medieval times, the translation from the Latin “Festum Omnium Sanctorum” into old English became “All Hallowmas”. Hallow means sanctify or consecrate, which is why when we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we prayer “Hallowed be Thy Name.” Mas means mass, which is a holy service of remembrance where the Lord’s Supper is celebrated. So “All Hallowmas” was a day when all the saints were remembered, and the celebration of memory to “do this in remembrance of me” took place. All Saints Day.
Of course, you can now understand where the term “All Hallows Eve”, the day before “All Hallowmas” comes from. All Hallows Eve became shortened to “Halloween”, which is October 31. And Friday evening I expect my front yard to be enundated with little ghosts and goblins and spidermen and Harry Potters and Miley Cyrus's.
This year on All Saints Day, the Auburn Tigers and the Ole Miss Rebels square off in Oxford, Mississippi. And being a faithful fan I will be watching and cheering my Auburn Tigers. I hope, and fully expect, to see them play for 4 full quarters. I want to see an effort in the second half I haven't yet seen.
Others of you may be watching and cheering the Bulldogs or Gators as they square off….or the Volunteers or Gamecocks….or Cornhuskers or Sooners, or whoever your favorite team may be.
But we all need to remember that these games are not the most important thing taking place on Saturday, November 1. The most important thing taking place is a day the church, for almost 1400 years, has set aside to remember those who have gone on to their heavenly reward because of their faith.
Each of you reading this knows someone. Maybe a friend. Maybe parents. Grandparents. Relatives. Ministers. Neighbors. Maybe even children. People you know and love who are no longer with us on this earth, but who now call "heaven" home. Take a moment on Saturday to remember them. And thank God for them. For what they meant and continue to mean to you.
On Sunday, the church I attend will be celebrating communion. If the Lord is willing, I will be there…..taking the bread and wine….in remembrance. All Saints Sunday.
WJLaneSR.
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