In a few weeks John will travel to our son's graduation. Micah has been a dedicated student in the pursuit of a pilot's license. This milestone brings him closer to a great job. It is marvelous to be able to celebrate with and for him. Being in the cheering section when your son achieves his goal is sacred ground. 

Five years ago most of the family trekked to Connecticut for the festivities surrounding our daughter's graduation from Yale. She finished with an MBA leading to a promising career. One of my favorite photos was captured by her brother. There is a sea of faces, and somehow he caught her attention at the right moment. Her joy is clear even from a hundred feet away. 

For me she is the absolute centerpiece of the crowd. Our happiness in seeing her accomplish this dream justified all our efforts to be there that day. My heart was as full as it could be.

Then I realized that the other graduates are special too. They studied, and wrote papers, lugged books and passed exams. I just don't know their names. But somebody does. 

When I consider the expanse of love that goes ricocheting around a cluster of students like this, between their families and friends, it boggles my mind. How is it possible, for each graduate to be known, valued, and cherished? 

Yet the same scenario will play out on a thousand stages over the next month, with each graduate being the apex of a mountain of affection. 

It is perhaps the closest I come to seeing the immensity of God's love.