And if you do manage to get a group of several hundred kids safely through at least 12 years of school to their graduation ceremony, might that not be a place where you could relax just a little, within reason?

I'm not talking about letting kids moon the audience or make obscene gestures or boo other kids or throw firecrackers or water balloons. You can't allow bodily harm or vandalism. But surely you could let kids put a bit of their own personalities into the celebration of their accomplishments.

My dad was the gentlest, most humorous man I've ever known. But he was a prankster. My mom was the world's best short-sheeter, as well, so it's possible these two warped people damaged what would have been my delicate sense of decorum. My entire childhood, I was regaled by their old friends with tales of silly things they did as kids. My kids will never be allowed the privilege.

Most of us probably heard similar tales from parents and grandparents. None of it would fly these days. And I can see why the hammer came down on some of it. But blowing a kiss? Bowing?

Do we really want to take ourselves that seriously?

Deseret News staff writer Lois M. Collins may be reached by e-mail at lois@desnews.com. Follow her on Twitter at loisco.