I just returned from my children’s elementary school. Each year Walden Lake Elementary graciously host the high school graduates for a trip down memory lane.
As soon as I walked through the door I heard the song “You’re Gonna Miss This” by Trace Adkins playing over the speakers. Seriously? Tears already? Yes!
The library, that once seemed so small to these now high school seniors (especially Cameron that is now 6’8”), was decorated with memorabilia from their elementary school yearbooks and balloons.
There were teachers ready to give well wishes and hugs to their former students. Unfortunately, my daughter’s kindergarten through fifth grade teachers had all either retired or moved on. Really! All of them. It was sweet to see Mrs. Esienbach, Holly’s fourth grade teacher, return for the festivities.
Holly and her fourth grade teacher.
Those seniors who were able to attend today posed for a group photo. It was impressive to see approximately forty former Walden Lake Eagles return to where, for many, their schooling all began.
After a group photo each student had to say their name (because let’s face it…they have changed over the past few years), where they are graduating from, and where they plan on attending college.
The trip down memory lane continued as we all viewed their fifth grade send-off video that captured the many remembrances of their kindergarten through fifth grade years. Again…this momma cried.
The reunion ended with Tim McGraw’s video being shown to song, “Humble and Kind”. Yes…the event began and ended with tears for me. One day I hope these fine young men and women will understand the emotions I went through as I was reminiscing my child’s school years. It was JUST like yesterday, y’all!
As an educator, I want to encourage you students to never give up and keep focused on your goals. You will be faced with struggles in your classes, new surroundings, and finding where you “fit in”. Don’t give up! Remember…you are not alone! This first year WILL be difficult, and you may even want to goof off this first year. Advice on goofing off…DON’T! Yes, you will have fun, but if you get into the habit of not keeping school a priority, it is hard to get out of the hole you’ve dug. You CAN make it out and rise above, but it will be much easier for you if focus on what you want in the end and where you really desire to be in the future. Be intentional. Study. Take advantage of the tutoring and counseling from your professors. Get the school work out of the way so you can enjoy those fun moments, which you will have tons of. If you keep focused on your goals, making it through those tough times will be worth it in the end.
As a parent, I want you to remember where home is. Your family will always be here for you and cheering you on. It’s okay to call home for trivial things like “What type of clothes detergent do I use?” “Can you please send me some cookies?” “How do I cook ____?” or “Can I put this shirt in the dryer or hang it up to dry?” Then, there are those questions that aren’t so trivial. Whatever your fears, questions, desires, and dreams may be…just call home. Even if it’s just to say “hi”, “I miss you”, or “I love you”. Go! Go learn how to be a grown-up. Make mistakes, but learn from them. If you can learn through other’s mistakes, please do so you won’t have to take that “field trip” yourself. Wherever life takes you, please remember where your home is and that your family loves you.
As a Christian, I pray that you will remember who you are and Whose you are. You are a child of God. If you have asked Jesus into your heart just remember…even if you don’t attend a Christian college, you are A Christian IN college. Be prepared. Start, go through, and end your day in prayer. Be armed. God has given you HIS armor to wear. Put it on daily and walk in His protection. Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving. Jesus did and I think He’s a pretty awesome example as to how to live. Be intentional in your actions and speech. Think before you say or do anything. Ask yourself will what you say and do put a smile on God’s face. If not, TRUST ME…it’s NOT worth it. His plan for you is so much better than what you could ever dream up for yourself. Be gentle on yourself. You will make some ridiculous choices, but forgive yourself, learn, ask God to forgive you, and move on.
Wherever you go, whatever you do…CONGRATULATIONS on your upcoming graduation.
And…being the school teacher that I am, I must include Dr. Seuss’ words from the book Oh, The Places You’ll Go (copyrighted in 1990):
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.
You’ll look up and down streets. Look ’em over with care.
About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.”
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you’re too smart to go down any not-so-good street.
And you may not find any
you’ll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you’ll head straight out of town.
It’s opener there
in the wide open air.
Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.
And then things start to happen,
don’t worry. Don’t stew.
Just go right along.
You’ll start happening too.
OH!
THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!
You’ll be on y our way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.
You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.
You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
Except when you don’t.
Because, sometimes, you won’t.
I’m sorry to say so
but, sadly, it’s true
that Bang-ups
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.
You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You’ll be left in a Lurch.
You’ll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you’ll be in a Slump.
And when you’re in a Slump,
you’re not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.
You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they’re darked.
A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?
And IF you go in, should you turn left or right…
or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.
You can get so confused
that you’ll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles cross weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place…
…for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or the waiting around for a Yes or No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for the wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.
NO!
That’s not for you!
Somehow you’ll escape
all that waiting and staying
You’ll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.
With banner flip-flapping,
once more you’ll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you’re that kind of a guy!
Oh, the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. There are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame! You’ll be as famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.
Except when they don’t
Because, sometimes they won’t.
I’m afraid that some times
you’ll play lonely games too.
Games you can’t win
’cause you’ll play against you.
All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you’ll be quite a lot.
And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance
you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.
But on you will go
though the weather be foul.
On you will go
though your enemies prowl.
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl.
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.
On and on you will hike,
And I know you’ll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.
You’ll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You’ll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life’s
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never foget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
So…
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea,
You’re off the Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!
Here are two links to share regarding being humble and kind: Be Humble, Kind, and Much More and Be Humble, Kind, and Love the Lord.
I pray that you will enjoy soaking up The Son every moment of each day. –Stephanie
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