May is the graduation month.
Apparently that’s the case, because the word and activity seem to have been in more communications than anything else other than the weather in recent days. Speakers have evaluated graduation in broad terminology at ceremonies throughout the country. While admitting it is an ending, most importantly is emphasis on beginning of the rest of life.
Formerly, grade school graduation was the first, and often the only big recognition of successfully completing a level of education. Previous generations never heard of
kindergarten, and for many high school wasn’t feasible. Helping on the farm and making a living took precedence over education. Learn while doing was the workable philosophy.
Nowadays, graduations often start at sandpile, go to pre-school, then kindergarten, often elementary, middle school, high school, junior college, four-year college, advanced degree recognition, on and on. Completion of various levels of religious instruction and other extracurricular activities are frequently also credited at this
time.
Our generation was the beginning of kindergarten, and we remember the blue construction paper cap Miss Kala made for us. Eighth grade graduation was a highlight of our early years. When the prophecy was read at the class day assembly, we bounced on our rocking horse and threw a lariat loop signifying our future as a cowboy.
High school commencement didn’t leave an impression, except that we still have the suit we wore. It doesn’t fit like when we were a 100-pounder; actually it doesn’t fit at all. Seldom happens nowadays, but men in earlier days often had one suit in a lifetime. They graduated in it, married in it and were buried in it. Few stay that slim, anymore.
College graduation is supposed to be the biggest one of all, but we hurried to get through at mid-term and didn’t even consider ceremonies the next spring. Actually, not many of our class did. Evidently that philosophy has changed, considering the crowds pictured at commencement ceremonies.
Our children each went through at least four graduations, but we can’t remember much about them, except: “They made it.” Now it’s the next generation; the grandson has donned his kindergarten graduation cap. We appreciated the report that the high school custodian graduation speaker advised: “Always love life, whichever direction it
takes.”
It is at this time one recalls importance of our teachers as told in Ecclesiastes 12:9: “Not only was the teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people.”There are those who will ask the question in Proverbs 5:13: “Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers? Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors?”
An optimistic promise for those with concerns is given in Job 8:7: “Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.” Yet the best advice is in Ecclesiastes 7:14: “When times are good, be happy; when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. A man cannot discover anything about his
future.”
+++ALLELUIA+++