These last few months the kids who were getting ready to graduate missed out on a lot. My daughter Abby is one of them. They will never get their senior year back with all the traditions and parties that go along with it, no matter how we try to compensate (except senior ditch day which seems to be 3 months long!) 🧐😁 It’s been a disappointment for sure, but as parents we have tried to be as upbeat as possible. I told my daughter I finally have someone I can relate to, as far as having a weird graduation. 🤗 I told her when I was 17, I graduated from high school while doing “The Donny and Marie Show.” My ceremony consisted of getting on the intercom system and saying, “Hey guys I graduated!” The commencement speech was a couple of my brothers casually yelling “woo hoo”. 🙄 Abby smiled when I told her, then I said, “Honey, I know graduating in the class of 2020 sucks! But I want you to look back at graduation with a bit more joy and laughter then I had.” I then gave her these earrings to memorialize it! With that look on her face I’m not sure it worked but I smiled and said;
“Congratulations for graduating in 2020, the year of much needed toilet paper. May your life be like the toilet paper roll... Long And Useful.” 🥳
She wasn’t thrilled 😂 especially when I said “and now the commencement speech.” 😂 I had thought about what I would’ve liked someone say to me to help me through life. So I chose this thought to share. I had sent it to my brother Jay awhile back who reminded me of it a few weeks ago. I continued;
Graduation speeches are filled with inspiration and great advice. SSo if there’s anything I could say to you that I feel is worthwhile, it would be this;
I AM YOUR CONSISTENT COMPANION.
I AM YOUR GREATEST HELPER OR YOUR HEAVIEST BURDEN.
I WILL PUSH YOU ONWARD, OR DRAG YOU DOWN TO FAILURE.
I AM COMPLETELY AT YOUR COMMAND.
HALF THE THINGS YOU DO YOU MIGHT AS WELL TURN OVER TO ME AND I WILL BE ABLE TO DO THEM QUICKLY AND CORRECTLY.
I AM EASILY MANAGED, YOU MUST MERELY BE FIRM WITH ME.
SHOW ME EXACTLY HOW YOU WANT SOMETHING DONE AND AFTER A FEW LESSONS I WILL DO IT AUTOMATICALLY.
I AM A SERVANT OF ALL GREAT MEN AND ALSO TO ALL MENS FAILURES AS WELL.
THOSE WHO ARE GREAT, I HAVE MADE GREAT.
THOSE WHO ARE FAILURES, I HAVE MADE FAILURES.
I AM NOT A MACHINE, THOUGH I WORK WITH THE PRECISION OF A MACHINE PLUS THE INTELLIGENCE OF A MAN.
YOU MAY RUN ME FOR PROFIT OR RUN ME TO RUIN, IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE TO ME.
TAKE ME, TRAIN ME, BE FIRM WITH ME AND I WILL PUT THE WORLD AT YOUR FEET.
BE LAZY WITH ME AND I WILL DESTROY YOU.
WHO AM I?
H-A-B-I-T!
So to the Class of 2020 (and everyone else!) what I want to share with you today is your habits can make or break you. From study habits to work ethic, exercise to eating habits, even to what you speak, think, watch and read. You take things into your body not just with your mouth but with your ears and eyes as well. Setting good habits can be as simple as beginning your day by making your bed to writing 3 things that you’re grateful for each night… but I think the best habit to have is to strive to have a heart filled with love. Love your family, your friends, those around you and especially the Lord. The more you LOVE, the more LOVE you have to give.
Congratulations class of 2020 forever known as “The year of Toilet Paper!”
#HappySunday