Believe Again

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own.  And you know what you know. You are the girl, who'll decide where to go.” (Dr. Suess)

I love this time of year because it always takes me back to being 18 at high school graduation, standing on the brink of possibilities.  More than any other time in our lives, graduating from high school is the moment we step through the portal from girl to woman or boy to man.  It is here we truly begin the journey towards becoming who we will be. 

In today's world, Facebook has allowed all of us to read the final goodbyes of graduates once written only on the pages of their senior yearbooks.  And with each 'goodbye' and 'game over' post I read, I can't help but be taken back to 1982, remembering hugs, smiles, and tears shed as I exited CCS for the final time, accompanied by the prophetic lyrics and haunting chords of Lynyrd Skynyrd's Freebird. 

I think of how I too made pinky-swear promises to my very best friends to always stay close, no matter where life would take us.  Three decades later we regretably discovered that, even with the best intentions, 'best friends forever' was a promise difficult to keep.  But now is not the time for Oh-Ten graduates to hear that.  Today is their time to shine.  Their energy, their awe, their excitement for what could be, their curiosity for learning and discovering and their intent on changing the world around them is exactly the prescription for what will.  Today they believe anything is possible and THANK GOD FOR THAT.  For it is their belief that renews our belief, inspiring us to have hope and the courage to believe again.

Congratulations Class of 2010, in particular to my Facebook friends Isabella, Jaclyn, Chuck and Chris. A friend recently sent me the poem below which I dedicate to each of you.  Suck the marrow out of this life of yours and enjoy every minutes of your days ahead -- just as you did the days now behind you.  Make life a slow dance....and you'll have a blast. :) 

Slow Dance

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round,

or listened to rain slapping the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight,

or gazed at the sun fading into the night?

You better slow down, don't dance so fast,

time is short, the music won't last.

Do you run through each day on the fly,

when you ask "How are you?", do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed,

with the next hundred chores running through your head?

You better slow down, don't dance so fast,

time is short, the music won't last.

Ever told your child, we'll do it tomorrow,

and in your haste, not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch, let a friendship die,

'cause you never had time to call and say hi?

You better slow down, don't dance so fast,

time is short, the music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere,

you miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,

it's like an unopened gift thrown away.

Life isn't a race, so take it slower,

hear the music before the song is over.

(Written by David L. Weatherford)