I did something incredibly uncouth this evening and I am MORTIFIED.
We had our Baccaulaureate service at a local church. I was there. I sang. I worshiped. I made mental notes about the liturgy.
And then I gathered up my big tote bag (uncool right there: I should have stored it in the choir room with everyone else’s) and recessed out. Unbeknownst to me, the faculty present form a little gauntlet for the graduates, creating a lovely line of professors on the right and on the left. Seeing this I became totally nonplussed : what side do you go down? Do you shake ALL their hands? Do you greet them all with a smile and then graciously shake the hand of the professors you know personally?
Or do you, like Victoria Weinstein Who Should Know Better, say hello to one professor and then make an awkward, loser bee-line for the sidewalk, keeping your head down and zooming by ALL THOSE PROFESSORS? INCLUDING SEMINARY PRESIDENT NICK CARTER, FOR WHOM YOU HAVE NOTHING BUT THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE ADMIRATION?
I watched as another D.Min. graduate worked his way through the line like, you know, a mature adult professional would do, shaking hands, sharing a word of greeting, accepting congratulations, etc. I felt like Charlie Brown. “I’m such a BLOCKHEAD” I said to myself.
So although it will take me awhile to forgive myself (I’ll actually never forgive myself, but time will soften my intense humiliation), I’m grateful that I have another chance tomorrow to acquit myself with some bloody dignity.
Which means, darlings…. NO BIKER BOOTS.
Seriously, I need to be a lady. Darnit.
Okay, and although I know you mean well, please don’t bother saying things like, “Oh, it’s no big deal.” Because darlings, I am PEACEBANG. If I’m going to advise all of you on this stuff I’d better be on my game 100% of the time. If not, at least use it as a teaching moment.
I won’t say it’s OK, because I get the total humiliation feeling moment… but I do want to point out that nobody, but nobody, is on 100% of the time. Not even one gentleman from Nazareth.
Congratulations, Rev. Gonna Be Dr. Tomorrow PeaceBang, what an accomplishment.
I understand embarassment and humiliation (my middle names). Does this become an opportunity to write a thoughtful personal note to those who you inadvertently missed in line?
BTW postmark it tomorrow in case the Rapture interferes with the Postal Service.
What Lisa said.
FWIW, *you* are probably the only one who noticed your hasty exit. Just be extra-social today. If asked about yesterday’s gaffe, explain that you were so overcome with emotion by the moment that you needed to get outside to open air to pull yourself together.
Mostly when we do those sorts of things we don’t get a chance at a redo the very next day. So at least there’s that – you can mingle and chat and such to your heart’s content today.
This reminds me that it is always so helpful for institutions to hold rehearsals for events like this. A chance to rehearse and ask questions gives everyone a chance to visualize the logistics and be less worried/confused about what to do on the big day.
I’m with JCB, that was definitely a situation in which you had no idea what was expected. If you were the least bit distracted by other elements of the liturgy, in your head a bit too much, etc. it it quite understandable that this could happen. Your judgement about the boots is probably spot on — you don’t want too much standing out. (although I like the boots themselves)
I hope yesterday’s oops doesn’t steal any joy from today. I agree with WBJ — perhaps this is an opportunity to write notes to the faculty/administration and thank them for their ministry to you and so many others…
something they can tuck away for the days when they wonder why they do what they do and if it makes a difference.
Blessings on your great accomplishment and the grace with which you minister to us!
ok, be mortified and move on, easier said than done tho.
Glad you get a do-over. Learn from it, mentor others from it and move on. As for the shoes, I love the ballet shoes or carry a tote with classy lady shoes to change in to. I thought the boots would be a little clunky.
I want to thank you for writing about this. Seriously. At my first college graduation (thirty years ago) I missed the opportunity to shake the hand of Julian Bonds, who gave the address. It was SUPPOSED to go like this: Shake college president’s hand with right hand, take diploma from assistant with left hand, step behind president, shake Mr. Bonds hand, proceed down steps off stage. To this day I don’t know exactly how I exited, except that it involved forging a new path! And scurrying! A do-si-do or three! Plus mucho embarrassment when my family asked why I avoided!? the commencement speaker.
I still have the occasional attack of pathological shyness for no discernible reason, but most of the time exalted personages are not involved : )
Thirty years from now, you will remember this day – a piquant memory is a blessing. Congratulations to you!