First Day, Last Day
Living gratefully today, I paid attention to the squirrel who greeted me in our yard a few minutes ago, reminding me of the interconnectedness of all living things.
I offer peace and prayers for the injustice, pain, anger, violence, and unrest that have unfolded across the Twin Cities in recent days.
I continue to give thanks to all who have helped our son Sam have a very meaningful and successful educational and athletic experience through Hastings Schools.
Today is officially Sam’s last day of high school. He should be going to school, garbed in the senior’s traditional USA gear, enjoying one last day of senior privileges, hanging with his buddies, savoring the youthful elation of the most significant milestone so far in his young life.
Instead, it will look and feel quite different, marred by pandemic safeguards and restrictions. We understand why it has to be this way, and support the school’s efforts, but we also need to feel the loss and unfairness that is here too. Life throws us curve balls and we are made or broken by them.
Sam is weathering this curve ball well. We are so proud of him in so many ways. As parents, we ache for what he and his classmates are missing. And we marvel at the balanced approach he takes to his days and to these circumstances.
As parents, we feel the bittersweet speed of the years between these two pictures. The bright smile and buzz cut as he anticipated his first day of kindergarten. The picture earlier this week, of a young man, plenty of hair, strong pose, standing outside the building he left in mid-March and hasn’t been back in since.
I offer peace and prayers for the injustice, pain, anger, violence, and unrest that have unfolded across the Twin Cities in recent days.
I continue to give thanks to all who have helped our son Sam have a very meaningful and successful educational and athletic experience through Hastings Schools.
Today is officially Sam’s last day of high school. He should be going to school, garbed in the senior’s traditional USA gear, enjoying one last day of senior privileges, hanging with his buddies, savoring the youthful elation of the most significant milestone so far in his young life.
Instead, it will look and feel quite different, marred by pandemic safeguards and restrictions. We understand why it has to be this way, and support the school’s efforts, but we also need to feel the loss and unfairness that is here too. Life throws us curve balls and we are made or broken by them.
Sam is weathering this curve ball well. We are so proud of him in so many ways. As parents, we ache for what he and his classmates are missing. And we marvel at the balanced approach he takes to his days and to these circumstances.
As parents, we feel the bittersweet speed of the years between these two pictures. The bright smile and buzz cut as he anticipated his first day of kindergarten. The picture earlier this week, of a young man, plenty of hair, strong pose, standing outside the building he left in mid-March and hasn’t been back in since.
We drove around from school to school the other evening and took pictures. Thanks Sam for being a good sport and honoring your parent’s request. We spoke of only vague memories of those earlier years, of favorite teachers along the way. You questioned, as we stood outside HHS, when you might be going back into this building.
Good question. One answer we do have though is that you left your mark in good ways there, and vice versa. It is the most we could ask for. Happy last day of high school Sam. We love you!
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