Amy Bannister:  

Life Dear Friends This past weekend I attended a celebration for a recent high school graduate. Fortunately I was out of town the weekend before and unable to attend the commencement or put my future (childless) husband through another long program. The guy has been a real trooper attending my son's graduation three years ago, and my daughter's last year. (Both attended gargantuan Houston area high schools - during the exercises your butt goes numb all the way to your cranium.) Commencement exercises can be terribly boring to those not involved, I barely remember my own commencement, who spoke or what advice they gave and I haven’t improved with age either. When my sister graduated from college, it was my first college commencement program. Somehow I thought it would be more interesting. But, if commencement exercises are (too) long, the celebrations surrounding them are some of the most memorable events that ever take place. They were then and they are now, or maybe it’s just us. This was my oldest and dearest friend, Susan Kress, celebrating her daughter’s graduation from high school. I’ve known Susan since Art Class with Miss Ekwo at Fondren Junior High. She had recently moved to Houston from Ridgefield Park, New Jersey [she used to “drur” pictures and eat “strur-berries,” too funny.]. We have been friends for thirty-five years, and counting. I know her bette...Expand for more