I was wondering if all commencement speakers feel compelled to address their own college experience. I'd rather not. I wanted to focus on you guys, even for just for a little while. I tried to get some statistics from the school about who you are--you know, boys, girls straight and gay--racially, ethnically, economically and age-wise. I bet you're not all 21 years old but here it is May 16 and I never found out. I see that you're not wearing those outfits that are all the same. So, one by one you know who you are. I bet a few of you are depressed. Not everyone feels good at graduation. Some of you feel great, some of you are worried, someone's sick, someone's in love, someone's mother died this year. Maybe not. I hope that's not true, but it happens. Everything does. I have some photographs of myself graduating from college, I didn't bring them, but those pictures replaced any memories I might have had of that day. I see me from the outside walking down an aisle in a white cap and gown in Boston and that's all that I know. I'd like to be here with you.

 

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