Congratulations, Hannah!

Candace and I today are sharing in the joy of Hannah’s graduation! After completing her last, exhausting final exam only just this morning, OU will tonight recognize this milestone of her journey by bestowing a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Pedagogy with special distinction and a Minor in Spanish (announcement below).

Congratulations, Hannah!

You are amazing, and bring delight to all who know you!

Now you can…

take the hidden paths that run
west of the Moon and east of the Sun….

Hannah, our constant wish and graduation thought for you is this – the beauty, hope and joy of life as dance. Your life inspires and moves us, and now, as the dance of your life concludes one song and commences another, we offer this long-familiar wish for you:

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand beside the ocean

Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they’re worth taking
Loving might be a mistake
But it’s worth making
Don’t let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(where those years have gone)

Lee Ann Womack, “I hope you dance” (, youTube)

[Go here for other posts on life as dance.]

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Update, May 13, 2012; here are some pictures to celebrate the occasion:

Before the Arts and Sciences convocation, “I hope you dance” played on the sound system (short video).

Many cultures join the dance

Hannah in a multitude of dancers

Sisters – Susanna, Hannah, Rachel

Hannah with the Manns: Laura, Marvin, Jackson, Jonathan

Ruthie and Hannah

Hannah and the Noads: Robin and Karen

Hannah, Rebekah, Dotty

Graduation party!

These are sample photos from this Flickr gallery, which also includes pictures of the bar-b-que lunch, and of others who celebrated with us (except Kaitlyn – we’re sorry we missed the opportunity to get one of you and Hannah together!). And on behalf of the entire Willis Creek Ranch family, we’re so glad that Laura and Marvin could drive their crew down to share in the special event! Thanks to all of you for joining us, even if only in spirit!

UPDATE, 5/26/2012: See Laura’s posts here, here and here.