My son Tom had his first "formal" occasion last night - his school's Year 10 Formal. Organized as a private function due to the coronavirus, we had spent a couple of weeks thinking about what he could wear and whether, as the night approached, the event might be cancelled. 

As it turned out it went ahead (at Penrith Panthers) and the kids looked stunning, scrubbed beyond their usual grubby selves into semblances of smart young men and women. Apparently everyone enjoyed themselves and all were accounted for.

These rites of passage are all that we have left for young people to pass through. Of course they fall well short of what might be, but modern liberal societies don't have much offer anymore in that respect. For that, we have to look to elsewhere, to places where tradition has yet to be superseded by the love of money.

Anyway, here's a parting shot of Tom with his friend Keanu about to embark on their big adventure.