“Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul.
Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.”
Pamela Vaull Starr
Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.”
Pamela Vaull Starr
Four years ago our daughter graduated from high school. She attended public school from Kindergarten through 2nd Grade, and we began homeschooling the next year. Our homeschool years continued through elementary, middle school and high school years, culminating in a beautiful graduation ceremony through our homeschool co-op, which involved 17 graduates.
That ceremony was very personal. Each family was involved and part of the experience, and the parents wrote a special message to their child, which was read as they went up on stage to receive their diploma. My husband and I discussed what we'd like to say, and I found the quote above to begin the message. It seemed appropriate as our daughter ended her high school years, and was about to begin her college years.
The students in the class also selected a Bible verse to use as the motto for their graduation:
That ceremony was very personal. Each family was involved and part of the experience, and the parents wrote a special message to their child, which was read as they went up on stage to receive their diploma. My husband and I discussed what we'd like to say, and I found the quote above to begin the message. It seemed appropriate as our daughter ended her high school years, and was about to begin her college years.
The students in the class also selected a Bible verse to use as the motto for their graduation:
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young,
but set an example for the believers in speech,
in life, in love, in faith, and in purity."
~ 1 Timothy 4:12
but set an example for the believers in speech,
in life, in love, in faith, and in purity."
~ 1 Timothy 4:12
Each student was asked to select a quote or to write something as a message to be included in the yearbook. Our daughter selected the following passage:
"Dare to look up to God and say, 'Make use of me for the future as Thou wilt.
I am of the same mind. I am one with Thee.
I refuse nothing which seems good to Thee.
Lead me whither Thou wilt. Clothe me in whatever dress Thou wilt."
~ Epictetus
I am of the same mind. I am one with Thee.
I refuse nothing which seems good to Thee.
Lead me whither Thou wilt. Clothe me in whatever dress Thou wilt."
~ Epictetus
Tonight I'm reflecting on that graduation four years ago, and thinking ahead to tomorrow and her graduation from college. It seems so amazing that four years have gone by. Our daughter is very open, and I've loved hearing about each and every day in her college life ~ the classes, her professors, her friends, and all she's learned. It's been a wonderful and fulfilling four years and I'll cherish all the moments.
Tomorrow we'll attend graduation and join with all the other parents in celebrating the accomplishments of our children. But for tonight, I'm reflecting on that previous celebration four years ago, which smoothed the way for the college years. The last page in that high school yearbook contained an essay written by our daughter ~ on May 11th, 2003. Since it was about endings and beginnings, it seems perfect to end my letter...
ENDINGS AND BEGINNINGS...
"I'm a big fan of the past, which is why I've chosen to major in history in college. The past educates us, encourages us, comforts us. But, in a way, it doesn't exist.
We have only a few things to assure us that, yes, life existed yesterday and the day before that. But you can't find that past anywhere, only objects representing the past.
The future is even more intangible, for we have no monuments, no letters, no people to embody it for us. It does not even exist in our minds, not the way memories do. We have only our own hopes and fears for the future.
Does this mean that today is all that matters? Certainly not! Every passing moment will soon become past, and every moment was once in the future. Past, present, future: the three are forever linked. It is our pasts that bring us to where we are today; it is that present that catapults us into the future.
'Today is unique! It has never occurred before and it will never be repeated. At midnight it will end, quietly, suddenly, totally. Forever. But the hours between now and then are opportunities with eternal possibilities.' ~ Charles Swindoll
May each of us live a life with a consideration for the past and an eye towards the future."
~ JMT, May 11, 2003
5 comments:
This a wonderful thought. I'm amazed how your daughter was able to think so deep at the end of high school. I'm sure that you equipped her very well for her college years, and this is why she enjoyed them and was able to learn so much of them. I'm thinking of your wonderful graduation ceremony right now when I'm writing this. In France we have graduation at the end of university too, but no graduation ceremony at all. It doesn't exist. I'll come back soon to read your news about this day.
I thought I already commented here (must have just thought it! *grin*) What a wonderful, exciting milestone for your daughter! Is there a bit of bittersweet mixed in with your joy for her? I think I will feel a little tug on my heartstrings as my children reach such milestones. I know you and your husband are so very proud of her!
When our friendship began we discovered our girls were the same age and same grade in school. Through these last eight or nine years they have walked their path to reach their college graduation. It was a quiet joy for me when we found out they were both graduating Mother's Day weekend. Different states, different majors, different schools, and a difference in their schooling with one in public schools and one homeschooled. And, yet, we celebrate this wonderful achievement of theirs the same weekend. I think that is so special. Congratulations to both our girls! And, to us, their families. :)
Joanne, congratulations to you for doing such a great parenting job and congratulations to J. for her honors graduation.
I know the joy you must be feeling.
Thank you Joanne for sharing such special memories of your daughters graduation. The quotations are so thought provoking. You are a very special person. Warm hugs, Hazel.(FTLOS group)
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