Endings and Beginnings

She sat on stage with her blue gown draped over her body and cap perched on her head. She showed with tears and laughter, smiles and hand-holding, nods of her head a variety of emotions. A young lady ready to go forth and save the world yet sad by the fact that many of those who shared the world would not be fully part of her forthcoming journeys.

I remember her as a quiet young girl "graduating" from preschool. Actually it was an evening picnic at a local waterpark where the preschool teacher and families got together to thank each other for the past couple of years. Then our young lady was "graduating" from grade 7, again the excitement of new challenges and some sadness of leaving the elementary school that had provided a security blanket of caring staff and families over 8 years. And now she is a woman looking to a future of exciting opportunities and challenges.

Graduating sounds like the process is gradual but the ceremonies of graduation seem more like a chasm between an ending and a beginning. They hold a range of emotions for both parents and students. It is truly one of those bittersweet times where there are tears of sadness and farewells coupled with the excitement of new challenges ahead.

In my second blog, I wrote about parenting in relation to the book “The Five Things We Cannot Change … and the Happiness We Find by Embracing Them” by David Richo. The first is that Everything Changes and Ends.

Here our family is at an ending. It's hard to believe that baby—our daughter—has graduated and is moving on.

At times, as parents, we would like the time to stand still but it doesn't. There will be many fond memories and perhaps a few regrets but life moves on and new paths are taken. It is an exciting time as a parent to see your child maturing into a responsible adult and accepting the challenges that will be thrown at them in the coming months. We must still be there for them and help them in a variety of ways but it is now up to them to move forward with their life, on their chosen path.

We must accept the changes and endings, celebrate the accomplishments and look forward to the future.

All the best to the class of 2007.