The year I finished high school \u2014 a quarter century ago \u2014 the most popular graduation gift was a brand new book by Dr. Seuss. I got my copy a few months early. The inscription is dated March 8, 1990, and says, “Happy Birthday to my very dear grandson.” It goes on, “This, you sweet thing, is your 18th birthday.” Grandmother was correct. As things go, I am fairly sweet.<\/p>\n
With apologies to Theodor Geisel, I’ve taken the liberty of adapting his idea for the graduating seniors at Harding. May God bless you in all “the places you’ll go.” <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The day has arrived!<\/p>\n
You have waited and waited.<\/p>\n
Did you ever suspect<\/p>\n
To become liberated?<\/p>\n
Now exams are all done,<\/p>\n
Not a one of them flunked.<\/p>\n
Though your brains may be drained<\/p>\n
From the thoughts that you’ve thunked.<\/p>\n
Yes, your head is congested<\/p>\n
With facts running loose,<\/p>\n
Like irregular verbs<\/p>\n
And the height of a moose.<\/p>\n
But “Today is your day!”<\/p>\n
Said the wise Dr. Seuss.<\/p>\n
And you’ll soon be away<\/p>\n
With a handshake from Bruce.<\/p>\n
And yet there’s a battle<\/p>\n
Being fought in your head.<\/p>\n
On the one side: nostalgia.<\/p>\n
On the other: some dread.<\/p>\n
Your memories and future<\/p>\n
Are now in contention:<\/p>\n
The past and tomorrow<\/p>\n
Both want your attention.<\/p>\n
The succession of “lasts”<\/p>\n
Has now slowly begun:<\/p>\n
Last chapel, last classes,<\/p>\n
Last late Wal-Mart run.<\/p>\n
Last Bison, last Frisbee,<\/p>\n
Last chicken-filled biscuit.<\/p>\n
Last meal in the caf\u2014<\/p>\n
If you’re willing to risk it.<\/p>\n
(If you do, I commend<\/p>\n
The rotisserie brisket.)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
There is so much to pack \u2014<\/p>\n
All those books, souvenirs,<\/p>\n
The assorted mementos<\/p>\n
Of four to nine years.<\/p>\n
What to toss? What to save?<\/p>\n
How much stuff should you keep?<\/p>\n
Dare I hope your Lit notes<\/p>\n
Won’t make the trash heap?<\/p>\n
Oh, you must take a break!<\/p>\n
Off to Kibo you’ll go.<\/p>\n
For one last expresso<\/p>\n
Or Blueberry Joe.<\/p>\n
Will you add some whipped cream?<\/p>\n
Maybe two or three squirts.<\/p>\n
Then back to the packing<\/p>\n
Of six hundred T-shirts.<\/p>\n
But the least of your worries<\/p>\n
Are heavy suitcases.<\/p>\n
Your minds are a-flurry<\/p>\n
In a half-dozen places.<\/p>\n
All those possible stories<\/p>\n
In such different typefaces.<\/p>\n
Is it single or hitched?<\/p>\n
Work from home or commute?<\/p>\n
Will I be scrimping and saving,<\/p>\n
Or swimming in loot? <\/p>\n
So many decisions:<\/p>\n
Like a big albatross.<\/p>\n
Should I start to invest?<\/p>\n
Is it fine not to floss?<\/p>\n
Loan payments and moving<\/p>\n
And grad school and rent.<\/p>\n
The farewells and job search,<\/p>\n
As you reinvent. <\/p>\n
You wanted a change,<\/p>\n
But is this what you meant?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
And now leaving school<\/p>\n
Isn’t quite what you’re wishing.<\/p>\n
Can you add one more major?<\/p>\n
Like Linguistics or Fishing?<\/p>\n
Your advisor says, “No,<\/p>\n
Don’t waste your brain powers.<\/p>\n
After all,” she reminds you,<\/p>\n
“You’re a grown-up by hours.”<\/p>\n
And so you slip into<\/p>\n
Your cap and your gown<\/p>\n
And await all the people<\/p>\n
Who are coming to town,<\/p>\n
All your aunts and your cousins,<\/p>\n
Your mom and your pop,<\/p>\n
And even your neighbor,<\/p>\n
Dear old Mr. Schmop.<\/p>\n
Not a one of these folks<\/p>\n
Thinks you’re going to flop.<\/p>\n
It’s all right to be nervous.<\/p>\n
You’re not weird to have jitters.<\/p>\n
Yes, your stomach feels like<\/p>\n
A motel full of critters.<\/p>\n
But you have real talents.<\/p>\n
You needn’t be scared.<\/p>\n
I’ll bet that you’ll find<\/p>\n
That you’re fully prepared.<\/p>\n
You can wire a circuit,<\/p>\n
Teach a class, write a poem.<\/p>\n
The world needs your know-how,<\/p>\n
It’s your turn to show ’em.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
And if you mess up,<\/p>\n
Just say, “That’s how it goes.”<\/p>\n
Sometimes you fall flat<\/p>\n
And get sand in your nose.<\/p>\n
Just dust yourself off.<\/p>\n
Grab a Kleenex and sneeze,<\/p>\n
And then get some ice<\/p>\n
For the bumps on your knees.<\/p>\n
But learn from your failures\u2014<\/p>\n
They’re not a disease.<\/p>\n
Forgive yourself. Really.<\/p>\n
OK? Pretty please?<\/p>\n
If the world seems chaotic,<\/p>\n
Or a little too large.<\/p>\n
Don’t forget to remember<\/p>\n
That God is in charge!<\/p>\n
He has blessed you before,<\/p>\n
And he’ll do it again.<\/p>\n
Remember those chapel talks<\/p>\n
At nine and at 10?<\/p>\n
Their goal was to help you<\/p>\n
Feel peaceful within.<\/p>\n
Your teachers are cheering<\/p>\n
You on to the light.<\/p>\n
We’ve taught you some things \u2014<\/p>\n
Some of which may be right. <\/p>\n
When each of you came,<\/p>\n
We were all overjoyed.<\/p>\n
Without you, professors<\/p>\n
Are so unemployed.<\/p>\n
So go, do us proud!<\/p>\n
Show compassion. Be kind.<\/p>\n
Love others. Be joyful.<\/p>\n
And then you will find<\/p>\n
That when challenges come,<\/p>\n
You won’t so much mind.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
We hope we’ve been able<\/p>\n
To strengthen your wings,<\/p>\n
And we hope that you know<\/p>\n
You’ve taught us a few things.<\/p>\n
So thank you for choosing<\/p>\n
To plant yourself here.<\/p>\n
Those roots will continue<\/p>\n
To grow and endear,<\/p>\n
And we’ll think of you tenderly<\/p>\n
Year after year.<\/p>\n
Now let me step aside<\/p>\n
To give Seuss the last word<\/p>\n
(Since original sources<\/p>\n
Are always preferred.)<\/p>\n
“So, be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray<\/p>\n
Or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea,<\/p>\n
You’re off to great places!<\/p>\n
Today is your day!<\/p>\n
Your mountain is waiting.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
So get on your way!” <\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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