A message to two important grads
I am sorry to say that we will not be able to attend your high school graduation celebration at the end of May.
On that day, at that exact time, we will be arriving in Savannah Georgia for a brief getaway - a place we’ve always wanted to see and experience after reading and hearing so many great and mystical things about it.
But I did not want to let this occasion pass without sharing a few thoughts that I hope will serve you well as adulthood greets you both.
Over the past four years your “world” has been made up almost entirely of your high school, your school friends, your local community and your loving family. Over the next four years, and beyond, you will likely encounter a much larger world than you had known to exist outside of Rock Falls or even outside of Illinois. For your own well-being and benefit I urge you both to take full advantage of the opportunities to explore the opportunities! Use this precious time to discover a new world and discover the great people and personalities who make up that world by being open to it.
Far too many people at your age decide who they are, what they like and what they want, while never leaving home. This view of the world, while still legitimate, lacks many things including depth, experience and imagination. But mostly it lacks perspective. Your mother, father, brother and sister will always represent home, but the next ten years of your lives will help you decide where YOUR home will actually be. Be certain that when you make that decision, it is based upon real experiences, real passion and true knowledge that these next several years can bring you. Take this time to discover the things that bring you joy, from art to books to films, music and people, all without influence of others and without apologies.
We wish you both the very best that life has to offer.