graduation weekend: day 2 of 3

I wake up to my mother saying, "It's very very cold; they say it's even snowing in places." I think she's joking until I check my phone.

I have no clothes for a temperature below freezing.  

The Senior Convocation begins at noon, with the stadium doors opening at 10:30. My mom and I take an 8:15 hotel shuttle from Ithaca Commons up to campus.  We stop for breakfast at Collegetown Bagels, and then do some shopping at the bookstore. 

I call Alexander who is using my mom's phone. It's nice to be able to reach my son without having to message him on Facebook.

We discuss today's plans, and have a brief argument, summarized as — "Do I really have to sit with you today?" "Yes you do." We meet in the stadium around 11:45. My mom and I have already been there for an hour, and have secured fantastic seats (with backs) right on the field.  The stadium of 20,000 is near capacity.

By the time the ceremony starts, the weather has warmed up, and the sun is shining.

Captain Mark Kelly and his wife Gabby Giffords are the keynote speakers. Mark does most of the talking and totally wins the audience. He speaks of courage and determination, and urges students to follow their own passions. He tells the graduates not to listen to "the advice of others, many of whom are probably sitting next to you now." Even after commanding a successful shuttle mission, Mark's grandmother still used to ask, "Honey, are you sure you don't want to go to law school?" He talks of second chances, and his wife's spirit and persistence. 

My mom and I are on our own for the rest of the afternoon, as Alexander wants to spend time with his friends. I stand in line with other families and their graduates to meet the president. David Skorton is leaving the university to run the Smithsonian Institution. When it's my turn to meet Dr. Skorton, and have my picture taken with him, I explain, "I'm the mother of the graduate. Sorry he couldn't be here." I offer no excuse since I have none and I'm sure he doesn't care. 

My mom and I spent an hour or so playing gin in the lobby of The Statler, the campus hotel. It's here I discover that my photo card has somehow become corrupt and all the photos I've taken today are lost. I buy a new card, then finish and lose my gin game. 

My mom and I walk to dinner at Golo Osteria. It's a long walk down a steep hill, but my mom easily makes it. Assuming my Nike bracelet is accurate, we walk about six miles today.

The restaurant is housed in what looks like a depressing, unadorned apartment building.  

Once inside though, all is perfect.