“I can’t give you a brain, but I can give you… a diploma.”

 

L. Frank Baum put those words into the mouth of the wizard as he addressed the plucky scarecrow whose main concern in life was that he wasn’t smart enough.  Along with scads of other students around the nation, my oldest child will walk-the-walk in a few days to collect her high school diploma, closing one door and opening yet another a few days after that.  Some graduates will go on to college, some will enroll in trade school and some will put on their boots and enter the military or job market.  All are scared.  More than a few are wondering if they’re smart enough.

 

They’re not.

 

The little darlings have no idea that they are just starting their true education.  Regardless of whether they go on to achieve another diploma, certification, honorable discharge or a daily commute – class is not out yet.  Their tender hearts and pliable brains will be pushed and prodded in ways they never imagined.  They will continue to be taught and tested, with no number two pencil involved.  Life can be that way.

 

As grown-ups, we are often frustrated that the younger crowd seems resistant to listen and learn from our mistakes (heaven knows, I didn’t think MY parents could teach me anything, little miss “I know”).  What we often fail to realize, is that, like any teacher, we can present proven material and examples of tried and true formulas… what the student takes away from the lesson is what the student can absorb at that time.  Occasionally, the student will not grasp the concept until much later, if ever.  It is has been my experience that some life lessons aren’t fully realized until the student is ready to accept the information and when they do, the message usually rings so much louder/sweeter/truer.

 

Class of 2010 – I salute you and admire all of the work you’ve done to reach this moment of accomplishment.  While you close the chapter on this phase of your life, I am very excited for you to crack open the new book… the one with pages yet to fill and lessons still to be learned.  I hope you will check in from time to time, on those who have been there before you – old though we may be, we make the best tutors.

 

“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 guy who’ll decide where to go.” — Dr. Seuss