- THE SNEEZE -

they walked in tandem, each of the ninety-two students filing into the already crowded auditorium. - with their rich maroon gowns flowing & the traditional caps, they looked almost as grown up as they felt - dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles & moms freely brushed away tears - this class would NOT pray during the commencements...not by choice, but because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it - the principal & several students were careful to stay within the guidelines allowed by the ruling - they gave inspirational & challenging speeches, but no one mentioned divine guidance & no one asked for blessings on the graduates or their families - the speeches were nice, but they were routine, until the final speech received a standing ovation

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a solitary student walked proudly to the microphone - he stood still & silent for just a moment & then, it happened - all 92 students, every single one of them, suddenly SNEEZED! - the student on stage simply looked at the audience & said, "GOD BLESS YOU, each & every one of you!" & he walked off stage - the audience exploded into applause - this graduating class had found a unique way to invoke God's blessing on their future with or without the court's approval

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this' a true story & it happened at the university of maryland