High School Graduation: Sweet Ending for a New Beginning

Candyce Carden
May 28
2 min read

We grow nostalgic at high school graduations. They mark a sweet ending for a new beginning. They remind us that time has zipped by. We yearn to slow the clock, to hold onto the familiar a little longer. At the same time, new horizons and experiences beckon. We experience mixtures of fear and excitement.

The emotions were the same at my graduation, my children’s graduation, and now, even more so, at my first grandson’s graduation. Why is that, I wonder. Is it because we live in a more unpredictable world today? Or is it because of the stark reality that I’ve now lived through three generations of graduations. There can’t be many more left to experience.

Nevertheless, we had a big time celebrating my grandson’s graduation. Several branches of family gathered for an informal meal and a few activities. One activity was to write words of wisdom, or well-wishes for the graduate.

What advice would you give a recent graduate? My message was far from profound. If I had it to do over, I would have included a Bible verse.

Maybe one of the following that immediately sprang to mind:

Fear Not.

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

(Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV)

Lean on God.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”

(Proverbs 3:5 NIV)

Please God.

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, (Colossians 3:23 NASB).

What about you? Please share a verse you would leave for a high school grad. I need a collection because I have a few more grandchildren still to graduate!

Other Ways to Celebrate Graduation

A Candy Bar to illustrate the “sweet ending.” Candy and Labels: Smarties: Smarty Pants; Tootsie Rolls: Honor Rolls; Peanut M&Ms: Nutty Professors; Pay Days: Student Loans; Starbursts: Reach for the Stars; Gummy Worms: Bookworms; Kit Kats: Study Break.

A Nod to the Graduate’s Future Plans

Let your graduate know you will continue to cheer him on, pray for him, and help him during the next chapter of his life. For mine, it’s being an Owl at Kennesaw State University.

And of course, one must have a photo backdrop.

(proud Grami and graduate)