Although graduation ends one chapter of the journey, a new one is just beginning.
A couple of days ago, the seniors from our local high school who attended the elementary school where I work, were invited to come and walk the halls in their caps and gowns. It was such a sweet spectacle. Their parents came. The current elementary students poured out into the halls and clapped for them as they passed by, sometimes giving them high fives.
One group, I’m sure, wondered if they would ever be that big and the other probably felt like elementary school was a lifetime ago. Then there were the parents who I suspect, wondered where all of the time went and could have sworn that only yesterday, their kids were the ones walking the halls as elementary students.
There were lots of pictures and videos and more than a few bittersweet tears. We had some of the seniors come into the office to ask if they could see their former teachers, those who had been standouts in their journey to this point, those who had believed in them, and connected with them, inspired them and made a difference in their lives.
I suppose we all have teachers like that, those standouts who we will always hold dear and will always be fresh in our memories.
As I thought about it all later, it occurred to me that while those seniors have reached the end of a chapter in this particular journey, a new one is just beginning. They will have new standouts and mentors, not only for the next few years, but for the rest of their lives, because the journey never ends on this side of Eternity.
I began to think of the standouts in my own life, from elementary school, high school and college. I have been blessed with many, but, there are so many more, family members, bosses and coworkers, friends, neighbors, in-laws, members of my church family, and members of my Salkehatchie family.
There have been so many people along the way who connected with me, believed in me and made a difference.
I think teachers often understand the call to connect with, encourage and inspire others. I think that’s often why they choose to do what they do. Yet, we are called to do the same with the people God puts in our path.
We all have the opportunity to encourage others and be a part of someone’s journey just as others have chosen to be a part of ours. If we pray about it a and keep our eyes open, God will send us the very people who need our individual wisdom and experience.
Because the journey never ends until we graduate to heaven. Until then, we should make all of the difference we can. Some seniors reminded me. Perhaps you needed reminding too.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂