Graduation Speech
They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-three students filing into the
already crowded auditorium.
With rich maroon gowns flowing and the traditional caps, they looked
almost as grown up as they felt.
Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and moms freely brushed away tears.
This class would not pray during the commencements--not by choice but
because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it.
The principal and several students were careful to stay within the
guidelines allowed by the ruling.
They gave inspirational and challenging speeches, but no one
mentioned divine guidance and no one asked for blessings on the graduates or
their families.
The speeches were nice, but they were routine, UNTIL the final speech received a
standing ovation:
A solitary student walked proudly to the microphone. He stood still and
silent for just a moment, and then he delivered his speech---a resounding
sneeze.
The rest of the students rose immediately to their feet, and in unison
they said, "God bless you."
The audience exploded into applause. The graduating class found a unique way to
invoke God's blessing on their future---with or without the
court's approval.
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