A Senior Farewell

It's early in the year to think about saying goodbye, but it is what I do.  I am blessed to teach high school seniors, and with the end of every day, I think, "Well, that's one last day with this good group of folk."  I often think about what I would tell them if I could tell them the most important things I know about life.  Would I have some great words of wisdom?  Probably not because I have come to realize that the older I get, the more things puzzle me and the less I am sure of.  I would, however, give them a few words of advice.  Any teacher worth their salt would have to, wouldn't they? 

So, if asked to tell my seniors all that I know, this is what it would look like: 

Dear Seniors,

As you prepare to depart the humble halls of high school, may I challenge you to reflect on what you may have learned during your years here that will serve you well as you go out to discover what it is life has in store for you?  I am sure that as you have traversed these sacred halls for the past four years you have had the opportunity to learn many astounding lessons and as you go on in your life you will find, often to your amazement, that there are, indeed, new lessons to be learned every day.  Sometimes lessons are learned through story.   Here’s a story that taught me in the most unexpected way:  

This is a story of romance.  Well, actually it is more a story of candles, cats, and people with children.  This is how the story goes:

Once upon a time, on a night when the moon was full and whispered of romance, there lived a couple who were very much in love.  They were also the parents of two small children, which meant that quiet moments of passion had pretty much disappeared from their lives.  Determined to keep the fires of love burning they devised a plan that they felt sure would provide them with a romantic evening.

It began with a valiant, and after some time, successful attempt to put the children to bed early.  After numerous trips to the potty, drinks of water, and reassuring bedtime stories, the children finally slept.  The husband then opened a bottle of cheap wine for the couple was exceedingly poor and could not afford the more expensive brand. This young husband placed the wine along with two plastic wine glasses on the table near the couch.  The wife took two candles and placed them next to the wine.  These she lit while the husband coaxed beautiful, soul moving music from the Sony stereo.  Finally the couple settled on the couch, arms entwined, reminiscing about the years long past when there were more moments such as these.

As they toasted one another, clinking their plastic cups in celebration of love, sipped their cheap wine and gazed into each other’s eyes, the husband whispered, “These candles are too bright—they don’t create a very romantic mood!”

            “You’re right,” conferred the wife, “Why don’t you put them in the kitchen and the light will then be softer in here.”

The husband nodded, dashing with candles in hand into the kitchen where he carefully placed them on the counter.  Rushing back into the arms of his loving wife, he graced her with a lingering kiss.

As they enjoyed this most quiet and beautiful moment they noticed, simultaneously, a burst of light flooding the kitchen accompanied by both a horrific smell and a blood-curdling wail.  Releasing themselves from one another they rushed into the kitchen to see what was what.

What they discovered, to their dismay, was their cat of four years who had grown fat and languid, with belly hanging into the candle flame and fur afire.  The husband mumbled, “Burning cat sure smells bad.”  The wife agreed.  After dousing the cat with water and brushing the singed hair from the kitchen counter, the husband turned to the wife and asked, “Interested in watching a movie?”  And so it was for this couple who tried to stir the embers of love.

You might wonder why I would share such a story.  Well, as with all fables, there is much to be learned from such a story.  First, expect the unexpected.  As you embark on this great adventured called “The Future” embrace those things that catch you by surprise.  Sometimes what we don’t expect is much more fulfilling than those things we do expect.

Secondly, find humor in the every day events of life.  It’s difficult to be serious all the time and the good Lord did the right thing when he gave us the great gift of being able to laugh at ourselves.  Laughter makes our lives a little lighter and a whole lot more enjoyable—so laugh whenever you can. 

Also, challenge yourself to be flexible.  Plans may have to be changed, roads diverted, goals rearranged.  But have faith that what is meant to be most certainly will be.

And finally, remember that life is a journey that is meant to be enjoyed.  The story I just related is not really a fable, it’s something that my husband and I experienced early in our marriage.  And while at the time it seemed an overwhelming and somewhat sad event (the cat carried the burn scars on her belly for the rest of her life), it has proven to be a story that we can often reminisce about and it reminds us of the joy that is life. 

May each and every one of you find great joy in your lives, may you truly know what it is to love and to be loved, and may you remember that those of us who remain behind are cheering for you all the way!

With love,

Your Senior English Teacher