Graduation

We have many fine folks graduating this year:

From high school, we have Laura Dowdy who is graduating from Tumwater High School. Laura plans to attend South Puget Sound Community this fall and study interior decorating.
Nathan Clark is graduating from Capital High School and plans to attend the University of Nevada Reno in the fall, majoring in photography.
Hannah Mariah Hunter graduates from Olympia High. She is going to Central Washington University to study accounting.
Peter Lowe is graduating from Timberline High School and is planning to attend Portland State University or a community college.

From college, we have Bryce Andersen graduating from Washington State University and heading into the world of politics.
Jean Huntley graduated from Western Washington University and looks forward to teaching English in Mexico.
Kirstin York, née Tollefson, is graduating from Western Washington University, and returning to Olympia while making plans for her future.

Graduation is coming! Graduation is coming! It seems that is all we hear at this time of year. Or perhaps that's just me. As the Youth Director I get to hear a lot about graduating this time of year. I get to hear the shouts of joy intermingled with the mumbles of doubt and fear. I get to hear the excitement of moving out and the hesitation as to what that really means. We have all been there. That crossroad of confusion, exhilaration, relief, and just plain old panic. I am also graduating and so to are you if you are reading this. We are graduating from all that has happened to and with us this year. The difference is that we will not take the time to slow down and reflect upon what that means to us. We will though expect those fine young folk to take the time to reflect upon their own pasts and look to the future. We will even give them some very wise advise. We will pass on our kernels of knowledge hoping that they will use it more than we did at their age. After all take my advise, I'm not using it. I am here to tell you that not only will they hear and use that wise advise we bestow upon them, but they already are doing so. I have had the distinct pleasure of personally watching many of these folks grow into the responsible people that they are. I have sat up many a late night or responded to more than one midnight parent phone call. I have listened, laughed, lectured, prodded, preached, praised, cried, cajoled, and comforted many of these. But I believe that what really made the difference, is that all of you prayed for and with them. You prayed as they were born into this world, you prayed as they crawled around the church, you prayed as they snatched cookies before the coffee hour. You prayed as the were baptized, you prayed as they were being confirmed. You prayed when they participated in worship. Your prayers sustained them even when they thought no one cared. You were there! And for that reason alone you also have graduated. And it is with that in mind that i would like to give this advise to all of us graduating this year, but particularly our graduating High School and College folks:

When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. . .
Live your life so that when you pass on to the Great Spirit,
The world will cry and you will rejoice.
Lakota Prayer