Looking Back - Fourth

It was a great occasion to celebrate, even if the weather didn't cooperate. My nephew was donned in his purple cap and gown -- multiple honor cords around his neck -- and gracefully made his way across the graduation stage with not even a tiny stumble. I don't think he was concerned about the stumble at all, that's just me. Anyway, with diploma in hand and a smile on his face, Bryan left high school headed toward a big and bright future. In his case, said future includes Purdue University and a spot in the College of Engineering studying Astronautical Engineering.

So, here's my hopes for him as he begins his college career:

• He'll always find a sandwich in his launch box.
• He'll never find an unidentified frying object in the cafeteria.
• He'll remain down-to-earth.
• He won't turn in to a lunartic.
• And, one of these days, he'll have the opportunity to eat in a moon restaurant. (I hear the food is fine, but it lacks atmosphere.)

And a message of caution that we can all learn from:

Jupiter came down to Earth one day and decided to help two criminals to rob a bank. Anyway, to make a long story short, they got caught and the three of them found themselves in court. The judge sentenced the two earthlings to fifteen years, and Jupiter was a bit shocked when he was sentenced to ten years. "But your honor," said Jupiter. "I didn't even take part in the robbery!" "Yes," said the judge. "But you helped them --- Planet!"