Today my human baby graduates from High School. To some people graduation is not such a big deal (my step kids did not even chose to attend theirs). I however, think it is a huge life changing event, and feel it is important to acknowledge and attend. The way I see things, there are certain life events that are really really important markers and allow us to move into ‘a change,’ of life status, location, position, age, etc, I like to celebrate and acknowledge life’s events. One of the things I think that we have lost a lot of in our modern busy lives are rites.Transitions that change your life in a major way (a birth, a death, marriage, passing a certain age (like coming into puberty), graduation from a school, surviving an illness or injury, retirement, divorce) are important to honor. Transition is not easy, even when it is a positive one. During the early 20th century, the Belgian anthropologist, Arnold Van Gennep, observed that all cultures have prescribed ways for an individual and society to deal with these emotion charged situations. They have ritual ceremonies intended to mark the transition from one phase of life to another. Van Gennep called these ceremonies rites of passage.
Rites effect more than just the person going through them. It is actually very important for the family and friends to make the transition too. There have been several rites of passage in my daughter’s short life already, but to me this is a biggy. I, as her parent, take pride in her accomplishments and note that there will now be a movement in my parenting from HS teenager into a more adult stage of her life (after she survives senior week at the beach). This marks a time when she will physically separate from me, from the family and her home, and transition into a new role, growing, learning, and preparing to be an independent adult in the ‘real world.’
Happy Graduation. Peanut. Reach for the stars!
Check out 15 Rites of Passage from around the world
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤ 
DogDaz Zoo 
Kate!
June 1, 2012 at 06:05
i didn’t walk because i hated high school and just wanted to get the diploma and get out. i was still happy that i graduated! lol
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dogdaz
June 1, 2012 at 07:32
I remember 🙂
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Sandy Steinruck
June 1, 2012 at 07:31
Congratulations Mom. You did a great job!!!
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dogdaz
June 1, 2012 at 10:01
Thanks Sandy – Time will tell.
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Jodi Stone
June 1, 2012 at 11:47
That’s just lovely, congratulations to your daughter and to you, this is a big accomplishment! Last night I attended the very last high school choral concert my niece will participate in as she graduates June 21st. It is bittersweet, I’ve enjoyed so much watching her grow and am excited and nervous for the next stage of her life.
Reach for the stars indeed!
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dogdaz
June 1, 2012 at 23:20
Congrats! Indeed
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2browndawgs
June 2, 2012 at 10:06
Congrats to your daughter. My family will be celebrating my nephew’s high school graduation tomorrow. How can it be that he is old enough to graduate high school? Surely that is a mistake…lol.
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dogdaz
June 3, 2012 at 19:55
I agree – I remember just having her.
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heretherebespiders
June 2, 2012 at 15:44
Happy graduation! my mother always said as Americans we had too few rites of passage – and when is it exactly we are adults? 16 – can get married, and drive. 18 – military service, voting. 21 – drink. 25 – insurance rates go down! Pretty confusing and hard on the young…
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dogdaz
June 3, 2012 at 20:01
Becoming and adult is a process and I do not think there is a rite for that one. Some people at 60 have not attained that level yet. LOL
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Worldly Winds
June 2, 2012 at 15:50
Congratulations! I also like the honoroury graduate in the photo 🙂
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dogdaz
June 3, 2012 at 20:02
Lulu actually graduated from puppy school and that was her photo 2 years ago. Thanks
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Jessica
June 2, 2012 at 19:27
What a wonderful, meaningful post! I definitely see your point about today’s society…we are always in a rush nowadays that we no longer stop and celebrate our rites of passage. If we do that more often, then maybe more of us will be better equipped to take on the additional responsibilities that come with growing up.
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colliesofthemeadow
June 2, 2012 at 21:14
CONGRATS!!! YAY!!!!! GREAT JOB!!!
Standing and cheering!
the collies and chuck 🙂
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dogdaz
June 3, 2012 at 22:45
Thanks Collies.
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Paws To Talk
June 2, 2012 at 22:15
Congratulations!
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dogdaz
June 3, 2012 at 22:45
Thanks Bella & DiDi
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