tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post4082367296764346066..comments2024-03-29T01:47:48.560-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: "And in closing, class of 2018..."Jungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-82266055326279146772018-06-19T00:39:01.899-04:002018-06-19T00:39:01.899-04:00Youngest has graduated... I'm sure there were ...Youngest has graduated... I'm sure there were times you thought the day would never come and in almost that same thought, you wished it wouldn't come yet.... Sorry, that sounds strange, I know. And congratulations on guiding your children through this phase of their lives, Julia. (We're old friends, I can call you Julia, right?��)<br /> What would I say if I was asked to speak at good old Piner High.... I would probably start by telling them that I think my class was the last class to graduate in the gym..and look at where you are now.. football field, with lights, wasn't here in my day... I think that my thoughts might be a list, a list of what I wasn't supposed to do and what I did! I wasn't supposed to go to college. I was so nice that I just get married and have babies. My dad was told not to worry about college. Guess what, I went to college! I have an AA and BA! So Ha! Take that you mean elementary school administrator! (I'd day with a smile.��) I never got married and can't have kids. Kinda sad about that last one, I'd like to think I'd be a good mom.... Don't be afraid to start over again and again and.... I only worked five years in my field of study, but it wasn't a good fit. It's okay to go back to school. And Don't Be Afraid To Return To Your Hometown, just don't hide there. I had an aunt with a PhD, taught medieval and renaissance history, brilliant lady, and she made sure we all knew it, who sent me a card on my graduation....she reminded me that, traditionally, this event was a Commencement Ceremony. You are commencing to the next phase of your life. And this year, class of 2018, you must be a PHOENIX!!! We may have burned last fall but you must rise out of the ashes. ... rise out of the ashes of your homes, parks and schools. Be the Phoenix! And whether you want it or not, you are also tasked to rebuild our town. Remember the past, honor it. And Live today for the future, it just outside the door. (Kinda got a little wordy, sorry.)Deana Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09093854261937772980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-12891861464391379492018-06-18T21:43:15.772-04:002018-06-18T21:43:15.772-04:00I couldn't tell you. I was 18 and had zero int...I couldn't tell you. I was 18 and had zero interest in it. Jay Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11409350742317719903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-64247657616820257272018-06-18T19:57:03.683-04:002018-06-18T19:57:03.683-04:00I loved reading all the thoughts today and thank y...I loved reading all the thoughts today and thank you for sharing them. Just didn't have time to contribute my own. And btw, applause to whoever had the job of illustrating today. Wonderful pictures.Trisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08058396345946250313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-11183782004420229202018-06-18T17:27:42.060-04:002018-06-18T17:27:42.060-04:00I remember at least one of the speakers at my high...I remember at least one of the speakers at my high school graduation because it was me. No idea what I said, though. I only went to my college graduation because my dad was a professor there, and he'd made special arrangements to walk through the ceremony because I was there. So I had to be there. Parents!Gigi Norwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00495357787099352860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-46714182323642687102018-06-18T17:24:36.752-04:002018-06-18T17:24:36.752-04:00Oh, Julia, you must have lived within a train ride...Oh, Julia, you must have lived within a train ride for Issac, because he did not fly. I don't suppose he was signing girls' breasts back then? Gigi Norwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00495357787099352860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-91874197753950638002018-06-18T17:20:10.307-04:002018-06-18T17:20:10.307-04:00I would tell them two things, no three. Always tre...I would tell them two things, no three. Always treat others the way you want to be treated, always be kind and always take risks. Complacency kills, don't you think, Reds?Kaithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07758348842858993203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-21606985276381484772018-06-18T17:01:17.435-04:002018-06-18T17:01:17.435-04:00Thanks for the congratulations, Kathy, and I agree...Thanks for the congratulations, Kathy, and I agree about travel! I'm delighted that Youngest is already planning a semester (and perhaps summer) abroad.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-54311096230644049302018-06-18T16:58:26.799-04:002018-06-18T16:58:26.799-04:00That's lovely, David. We need to collect all t...That's lovely, David. We need to collect all this wisdom together and make a booklet for grads!Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-36617634752861613332018-06-18T15:21:52.312-04:002018-06-18T15:21:52.312-04:00I have been to but a few graduations in my time. M...I have been to but a few graduations in my time. Most of my memories are too personal to commit to words. What I do know now, at the age of 64, is that there will be times in your life, not very frequently, that God will put you in situations that you are uniquely qualified to make a special difference in someone's life. You will not see them coming. You will not even recognize these occasions at the moment they are happening or even for a while after they pass. However, if you are in prayer always and make a habit of stepping up, they will happen. And then you will know the love of God in a way that is more than precious. And in pondering these moments in reflection you will always cry.David Squireshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17144607647071920674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-64019196563050521542018-06-18T14:39:33.342-04:002018-06-18T14:39:33.342-04:00That's true, Julia. At that age you're not...That's true, Julia. At that age you're not too interested in life advice, even good advice!Marla Bradeen/Paige Sleuth, Mystery Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01920956529695986188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-13791467637040090842018-06-18T14:32:46.000-04:002018-06-18T14:32:46.000-04:00I'm not sure it would help, Marla - at least n...I'm not sure it would help, Marla - at least not to the graduating youngsters. I suspect everyone in a gown and mortarboard is mostly concerned with what's happening <i>after</i> the ceremony!Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-83458787419996103502018-06-18T14:30:26.741-04:002018-06-18T14:30:26.741-04:00Sounds like it was an excellent speech, Zee!Sounds like it was an excellent speech, Zee!Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-79918631528668410382018-06-18T14:27:23.038-04:002018-06-18T14:27:23.038-04:00Ditto!!!Ditto!!!Lyda McPhersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05211808700153787911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-43079975240418014252018-06-18T14:25:04.517-04:002018-06-18T14:25:04.517-04:00Congratulations to Youngest on her graduation, Jul...Congratulations to Youngest on her graduation, Julia. An achievement and celebration for all. I know that she has had the best guidance and examples from you and Ross to enable her to live life with joy and purpose. <br /><br />I honestly don't remember my high school or college graduation speakers. High school graduation was even a big deal, because I was valedictorian, but at our school back then, there wasn't a speech from the valedictorian. There really should have been, and I wasn't afraid to speak in public. My college graduation was just a huge mass of people and you stood up as a college to acknowledge receiving your degree. The one that I didn't go to, but would have meant the most to me was my Masters graduation. I wish I'd gone to that one. <br /><br />One thing I'd tell graduates, high school and college, these days is to travel, to learn about other peoples and their histories. It might help them view the world as their home and not just their little piece of residence, to see life as a connection to and appreciation of other cultures. I think it would promote "a love between my brothers and my sisters, all over this world." Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-2317094502124233652018-06-18T13:58:59.752-04:002018-06-18T13:58:59.752-04:00Love all this advice, and Gigi's. Like many of...Love all this advice, and Gigi's. Like many of the commenters though, I don't remember/didn't attend my own graduation ceremonies. If only all graduation speakers were as engaging as the Reds!Marla Bradeen/Paige Sleuth, Mystery Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01920956529695986188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-13728988313963676742018-06-18T12:50:51.576-04:002018-06-18T12:50:51.576-04:00As a bookseller, I was waiting for someone to say ...As a bookseller, I was waiting for someone to say this--you beat me to it! Read--read outside your comfort zone, read to learn about different cultures if you can't afford to travel, read to empathize with people in situations not your own. Expand your mind, expand your world--READ!<br />The Other Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08319329567489980290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-2984248969071310652018-06-18T12:34:38.785-04:002018-06-18T12:34:38.785-04:00Congratulations to youngest daughter! I teach high...Congratulations to youngest daughter! I teach high school and this year I was asked to give the traditional teacher speech at graduation. I told our graduates to get lost and enjoy the adventure that getting lost is. To not be scared of getting or feeling lost but learn on their travels Zeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11504105694800511170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-30215026474390743842018-06-18T12:25:22.117-04:002018-06-18T12:25:22.117-04:00Hear, hear on the handwritten notes! Although I ha...Hear, hear on the handwritten notes! Although I have to confess my daughter is better at it than I am--probably one of the reasons she's so successful at her job.Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-7421643060271080592018-06-18T11:57:02.677-04:002018-06-18T11:57:02.677-04:00I'm pretty sure our image used to be of an Iro...I'm pretty sure our image used to be of an Iroquois warrior (we're on Lake Onondaga, the hearthfire of the Confederacy), but it's since been changed to a muscular fellow who's Greco-Roman. I'm glad LHS updated it so we're not appropriating our neighbor's culture anymore.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-66531007431129759912018-06-18T11:54:45.673-04:002018-06-18T11:54:45.673-04:00I am on deadline and freaking so see you later...b...I am on deadline and freaking so see you later...but don't forget to ENTER the Goodreads giveaway for TRUST ME! It ends Weds--100 free copies! https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/279713-trust-me<br />Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07630366214207785339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-51368256718855035212018-06-18T11:50:37.599-04:002018-06-18T11:50:37.599-04:00And is flapping hard!And is flapping hard!Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-65735330292834616272018-06-18T11:50:16.920-04:002018-06-18T11:50:16.920-04:00Congratulations to the Girl, Mary! And what a wond...Congratulations to the Girl, Mary! And what a wonderful thought for the valedictorian. I have high hopes for the class of '18. I think they're going to change the world.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-78235780278697862852018-06-18T11:48:18.106-04:002018-06-18T11:48:18.106-04:00Yes, and now I'm ready for Dr. Seuss's YOU...Yes, and now I'm ready for Dr. Seuss's YOU'RE ONLY OLD ONCE...Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-5859632462806641442018-06-18T11:47:05.215-04:002018-06-18T11:47:05.215-04:00Excellent advice from both of you, Coralee!Excellent advice from both of you, Coralee!Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-32874431188708422812018-06-18T11:46:28.021-04:002018-06-18T11:46:28.021-04:00I love this, Ann.I love this, Ann.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.com