Last night I attended my 42nd high school graduation. The first was my brother’s, then mine, then my sister’s, then a number of nieces’ . . . but the last 36 have all been at the high schools where I have taught: Clovis West in Clovis, Vanden at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Anderson High in Anderson, and the College Connection program at Shasta College.
Last night was bittersweet. Though I am ready to hang up the grading pencil and log off of turnitin.com (the plagiarism website), I will miss the energy and excitement, the dreams and nervousness about the future, and the youthful but profound thought that high schoolers have brought to my world. It has kept me young; it has kept me grounded; it has kept me humble . . . and it has made me thankful I am not in high school any more even though I enjoyed my high school experience.
But right now I feel just like those high school seniors. Everyone is asking me . . . as they are asking them . . . well, what are you going to do now? And I can see why it is a bit unnerving for them . . . because it is a bit unnerving for me. Like them, I feel like I am supposed to have a plan and have the future all laid out . . . but I don’t.
But I do know a few things.
Will I write? Travel? Play more golf? Okay . . . so there are three definitive and enthusiastic yeses . . . Lord willing.
But I am afraid to commit to anything more in case they don’t materialize or I flake out or fail or any combination of the above. I have asked my retired friends how I should approach retirement and all have given me wonderful and helpful ideas, but I am not going to list them here in case I don’t follow their advice.
But here are a three more things I do hope I do.
I hope I learn to relax: Even in my recreation I can sometimes push myself. I hope I enjoy the walk rather than be concerned with the length of the walk.
I hope I just take my time: I have always been a task oriented person, and even though there will still be things I will want to accomplish and do, I hope I take the time to enjoy what life brings my way rather than always going after something.
And finally, I hope I live in the peace God promises, as I remember His words to His children regardless of their age or season in life:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Last night was bittersweet. Though I am ready to hang up the grading pencil and log off of turnitin.com (the plagiarism website), I will miss the energy and excitement, the dreams and nervousness about the future, and the youthful but profound thought that high schoolers have brought to my world. It has kept me young; it has kept me grounded; it has kept me humble . . . and it has made me thankful I am not in high school any more even though I enjoyed my high school experience.
But right now I feel just like those high school seniors. Everyone is asking me . . . as they are asking them . . . well, what are you going to do now? And I can see why it is a bit unnerving for them . . . because it is a bit unnerving for me. Like them, I feel like I am supposed to have a plan and have the future all laid out . . . but I don’t.
But I do know a few things.
Will I write? Travel? Play more golf? Okay . . . so there are three definitive and enthusiastic yeses . . . Lord willing.
But I am afraid to commit to anything more in case they don’t materialize or I flake out or fail or any combination of the above. I have asked my retired friends how I should approach retirement and all have given me wonderful and helpful ideas, but I am not going to list them here in case I don’t follow their advice.
But here are a three more things I do hope I do.
I hope I learn to relax: Even in my recreation I can sometimes push myself. I hope I enjoy the walk rather than be concerned with the length of the walk.
I hope I just take my time: I have always been a task oriented person, and even though there will still be things I will want to accomplish and do, I hope I take the time to enjoy what life brings my way rather than always going after something.
And finally, I hope I live in the peace God promises, as I remember His words to His children regardless of their age or season in life:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
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