Graduation – Charity Matters

Education June 5, 2015

The beginning of an ending

“Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.”

Kongzi

This weekend marks the beginning of an ending. This week our family celebrates two graduations, our youngest off to high school and our middle son off to college. It is a happy, crazy, emotional roller coaster ride of a week. This is not our first graduation and you would think that each ceremony somehow prepares you for the next, for me this is not the case.

Each one of our children has had their own journey, their trials, struggles and their triumphs. Each ceremony brings to light the steps of each ones paths. For our youngest son, he will be celebrating graduation with a class he joined only a year and a half ago. Yet, it feels as if he has been there forever by all. It will be a week of traditions and celebrations to launch him towards high school.

The graduation that I can not seem to process is my middle son. While he may look like a high school hero on the outside, his journey these past few years has not been as seamless as it appears. He has had roadblocks like anyone, but in the face of these obstacles, he has always taken the high road. He has taught us grace, made us smile, showed us incredible dedication to his friends, team and school. Everyone knows their children are special, but he has shown us through his compassion towards all, what that word really means.

My heart overflows with pride in thinking about who he has become and how proud I am to be his mom. So as I try to process all that goes on this week, I keep trying to remind myself that we have done great work as parents and how lucky the world is to be getting these remarkable young men.

Beginnings and endings they all are part of the circle we call life. As we close these chapters, we go forward with full hearts towards the next.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration June 6, 2014

This is it.

“You are educated. Your certification is in your degree. You may think of it as the ticket to the good life. Let me ask you to think of an alternative. Think of it as your ticket to change the world.”

Tom Brokaw

Tomorrow is the big day, Graduation Day. For 18 years of guiding, homework, making lunches, driving and all of the work that goes into being a parent….this is it. Is it over? No. Is it a parental payday? Maybe. To me it is simply another milestone. His first smile, first step, learning to ride his bike, then his driver’s license and now to use those same wheels to head off to college. It is a milestone and like all great milestones it is a celebration of achievement. It is a time to be in the moment with all of the people who helped us get to this moment.

Just like the first smile, the first steps and the first pedal strokes there were more. This will not be the last milestone or celebration of achievement. Like all the wonderful accomplishments, I will cheer, smile, cry and beam with pride. Although my son has earned this moment, it is one for all of us to celebrate.

He can change the world tomorrow. Today his smile is more than enough.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Quotes June 7, 2013

Congratulations graduates, yes, you old ones too!

Graduation is only a concept. In real life every day you graduate. Graduation is a process that goes on until the last day of your life. If you can grasp that, you’ll make a difference.

Arie Pencovici

With that I challenge all you graduates, new and old, to ask your selves. Are you graduating everyday? If so, are you making a difference?

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2013 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

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Charity Matters Inspiration June 3, 2013

A message from the grave

In the spirit of the season, with graduations everywhere, I decided to take a stroll through some epic commencement addresses, a journey longer than most graduation ceremonies I might add. Of all the speeches I listened to the one that I simply could not walk away from, fast forward or forget was Steve Job’s speech at Stanford.

I have written and delivered many speeches in my lifetime but never a graduation speech. Steve Job’s words, ideas and stories spoke to me from the grave. So, I know it isn’t short but if you give your self a gift today, a small moment. Make it this.

As Steve Jobs said, “Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.” Using your time to do what you love and make a difference for the world is a choice and a gift.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2013 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

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Charity Matters Inspiration June 8, 2012

My Wish

Today is graduation day and this year we have more than a handful of graduates in our lives. I think this video says it best.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz32I_GbpeU&feature=related]

This is my wish for you, graduating or not.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2012 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

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