Graduation Announcements

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1

You are going to have to forgive me over the next few weeks. I am in a nostalgic mood. My baby is graduating, and while I am grateful and thrilled, I wonder where all the years went. Some moments I would just as soon forget, but now, looking back knowing the young man he has become, it was almost worth it. Almost. I am planning a big party although he does not want one because I deserve to celebrate! Tonight, husband and I worked on getting his announcements ready to go in the mail. Those little name cards are hard to get into the slits in the paper! They are all ready to go except for the following note which I need to print and insert into the envelopes:

“While some might think graduation announcements are simply a plea for a gift, this announcement comes to you as a thank you instead. Joyce Landorf in her book, Balcony People, states that everyone needs people in their balcony cheering them on as they go through life. At this milestone in T.’s life, we want to thank you for being one of his balcony people. From the time that he was born, we knew that he would grow up to be a great man of God because that was a promise God gave to us at his birth. What we didn’t know was the struggle that would sometimes come with raising him to be that man. We could not have done it without the support and prayers of so many people. You have encouraged us, dried our tears, laughed with us and most importantly taken T. to the feet of His Heavenly Father over and over again. While we know God is not finished with T. yet, He has already done a marvelous work. He will be finishing up his Emergency Medical Technician training at the same time as he receives his High School diploma. He will enter Fire Academy at Hillsborough Community College in August aiming for a career as a Firefighter/Paramedic. When asked his long term goals, he stated, “I just want to help people.” This summer, in between working as a lifeguard at our county pool and competing in triathlons, he will take a second mission trip to the Amazon River in Brazil and travel to Nashville, Tennessee to represent the State of Florida in the EMT category at the Health Occupation Students of American National Competition. His favorite verse has become Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” God is good. Thank you for being among that great cloud of witnesses cheering him on as he moves into adulthood.”

If you happen to be in the vicinity of Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota, Florida on May 21, at 7:00, stop on in. I’ll be one of many cheering and crying all at the same time.