In the past two days….Saturday and Sunday….we have seen something of what could be called "coming full circle". Four high school graduates’ receptions attended…..4 young adults that we have known and loved since they were young children, or in 3 cases…since they were newborn babies. It is something I would not have missed for anything in the whole world.
Two of these young men have mothers who were my teaching colleagues for many years…their two sons were born during our tenure as teachers together. I waited along with the two moms for their babies to be born ….one mom was the best High School English teacher I have ever known and her baby was due around the time of William Shakespeare’s birthday; she would name him William if it happened that the babe was born on the Bard’s birthday. But the little boy came a few weeks early so he got named for a famous English poet instead (Dylan) but took William as his second name! The second boy was born in December and we had waited anxiously for word of his birth also. He was the third son (Lorne) in his family and he was welcomed eagerly by his parents and two older brothers. This weekend the two "baby boys"of yesteryear graduated from high school and have finished their successful journeys through grades K-12. I got to know them as students in the school’s elementary library and not surprisingly, both loved to read. It was such a pleasure for me to have a part in helping them find the books they were interested in and their two families encouraged them from the homefront to become readers, also. Now they are ready to go on to colleges next fall; both have a pretty good idea about what careers they want to pursue. I have no doubt at all that they will succeed as well in this next phase of their lives as they did in the first round of their education.
The other two graduates are children of church fellowship friends; two great young people who will also do well as young adults because they have such good families supporting and encouraging them. Noah was about 8 years old when we first knew him and his parents and brother and sisters. He has grown tall in the intervening years and has grown mentally and spiritually as well. His heart is in the right place and his head is on very straight as far as his morals and ethics are concerned. Janna has been a quiet girl but she is full of wisdom for one so young. She was born just a few months before our second grandchild so we have had a special feeling for this young lady. She has taken on adult responsibilities these past two years and has done a fine job as our church secretary. She has also cared for and counseled youngsters at camps and in church school. She will make a fine career for herself because she, too, is equipped for her life after K-12 years. All four of these young adults are ready for the world outside their homes and their first schools, and the "school of life" will not be too difficult an adjustment for any of them…they are ready for it.
The past two days of sun and warm weather have smiled down on many high school graduates as their families and friends honor them with receptions and parties and picnics. The guests have over-indulged in the good food served at homes of graduates….I can speak for myself and My Best Friend….. both of us are determined to get back on track tomorrow and eat more sensibly than we did today. It will be a long time before I forget the home made hot crepes made at one of the homes ….served with fillings of ice cream, sliced bananas, strawberries, blueberries , apples, whipped cream and hazlenut flavored chocolate!!!! Mmmmmmm!!!!!
Small town graduations are such fun! You visit with people you have known a long time but may not have seen recently. I got to see former students that have grown up since I last knew them as elementary students. It was a joyous reunion among students and teachers. I saw parents of students….former teaching colleagues….those friendships do not ever end even though some of us are retired, while others continue on in schools with their students. We have much in common. Seeing each other along with the Graduates today was wonderful.
I have such a satisfied feeling this evening having gone to several graduation receptions this weekend. My digestive system feels like it is over-burdened but the rest of me—-the emotional and spirtual part of my being… feels just perfect….thanks to good friends and good families who joined together in a spirit of joyfulness at seeing their children launched on a new phase of their young lives.
The doors to the future are wide open and everything looks hopeful. It is a shared feeling that uplifts all those who wish those young adults well in their lives ….lives that are opening up like lovely spring flowers open up in the May sunshine.
