Oh, What Can It Mean, To A Daydream Believer & A Homecoming Grand Marshall?

Among many other responsibilities, Dan Thies is a member of our exceptional group of Milton High School Counselors.  A week or so before Homecoming he sent me an e-mail in which he asked me, along with Sue, to be Grand Marshalls for the Homecoming Parade.  My mind immediately went, “Wait!” “What?”, followed quickly by “Why?”.  I arrived at the rationale that Dan was probably looking for someone old who had graduated from Milton. Sue & I fit that bill.  I graduated in 68 and Sue in 69 so we have both been “out” for more than 50 years.

I departed that train of thought and went to tell Sue of the request.  Her reaction was similar to mine – he wants what?  Why?  I suggested we move off the why and decide whether to comply with the request or turn it down.  It was then that we both smiled and began to lean-in.  Of course we would do it.  It would be fun.  We both love Milton. We are strong supporters of our schools and we would get to ride in a convertible and wave to people.  Should we get new outfits? How should we groom ourselves? If we get into the back seat of a sporty convertible will we be able to get out without assistance?  I e-mailed Dan and told him we were in.

Dan wanted to know if we had a convertible. Answer. NO.  He said he would provide. Dan asked if we had a driver. Answer. Maybe.  I asked my good friend & spiritual coach, Nate Crandall, if he would consider serving as our chauffeur.  I really thought he would not want to give up the time but he jumped at the chance.  In fact, he ended up having way too much fun with this gig.

So Homecoming Friday arrives.  We are anticipatory and excited.  Chauffeur Nate, calls and informs us that he will pick us up in our driveway in five minutes.  We head to the driveway as Nate pulls in with a to-die-for red Mustang.  He has the music cranked and is rocking-out to Toto’s ‘Rain in Africa’.  We clamber into the back seat and head to the St. Mary parking lot. And then it begins to hit me. The assembled kids, their costumes & uniforms, their youth and infectious enthusiasm, fire trucks, police cars, proud parents, proud teachers. Dan comes over and fastens the official signs to the side of our rumbling Mustang, congratulates us, and snaps some pictures.  We are directed to our front position in the line-up right behind the ambulance (they may have to answer a call, so they lead).  My emotions are beginning to elevate and then the drums begin (nothing like drum cadences from two bands to let you know you’re alive) and we are off.

This would be a departure from our usual Homecoming parade watching which involved taking our bag chairs down the hill and watching from the shade under the maple near Arndt’s & Bank of Milton.  While this beginning-of-the-parade-route vantage point was convenient and afforded a great view we soon discovered that we had missed so much by not seeing the massed kids and community members jamming the rest of the parade route.

As we progressed, waving, cheering, calling to people, responding to greetings, I could not help but smile broadly.  This is significant as I am often taken to task for not smiling. Most spectators did not know that Sue & I were the Grand Marshalls. You could feel that brief delay as they looked at us, then at the signs on the side of the car, then back at us with big smiles and shout outs.  Students of all ages remarked about the Mustang and wanted to know if it was ours.  We saw many generations out enjoying the pageantry and excitement.  There were those older than Sue and I whom we recognized from seeing them around town for most of our lives.  We saw our contemporaries.  We saw young parents. We saw babies & toddlers. We saw our grandsons sitting with their classmates. We saw teachers whom we know and love.

This was all extraordinarily moving and even more so because I was not expecting it.  It snuck up on me.  I was elated that what I was witnessing and participating in was truly a Homecoming, a return to a sense of unity and community, a spontaneous outpouring of social capital so lacking in our country today. The feeling was pervasive and nearly palpable. It gave me hope for Milton. We have so much here to celebrate and it was clear that the parade goers were caught up in it.  I invite you to join me in working to keep this spirit alive.

Thank you, Dan, for such a phenomenal experience.

#cruzan4milton#WAM