We are in the middle of graduation season. Whether it be high school, a trade school or college, the traditions of the season live on for many. Why does the big hoopla continue?
Graduation is an Accomplishment
Don’t ever let anyone tell you that graduating from any program you are a part of, is not important. When you have invested time and energy into something that may impact your future, it is worthwhile. The big question for many is how will they approach it throughout the years. Some will muddle through to just get by, where others will seize the opportunity and run with it.
The road to graduation for many is not an easy one. There are many obstacles to overcome, especially children who have to deal with outside forces. These can derail anyone, but with focus and desire, even a child in the most difficult situation can succeed. Getting to the day where you can walk across a stage in front of your family and peers, is like no other. All those years of books, reading and tests has finally paid off, and the future is now yours.
Graduation is the final accomplishment of any task you start and at some point complete. This is part of the celebration, and we all love it!
Graduation as a Stepping Stone
In my opinion, graduation is the stepping stone to a future of either success or mediocrity. The final outcome is dependent many times on what you want it to be. My own children took the opportunities forded them and are now in successful careers. Any parent wants their own children to do better than them. Mine did, and I couldn’t be more proud of them. We can all frame that piece of paper, or we can display it with pride and know that we did all we could to make it really worth our while.
As parents, we have the greatest responsibility to help our children understand how important it is to complete the task, to receive the rewards. No it isn’t always easy, but let’s be real, nothing in life is, is it!
Enjoying the Traditions
This time of year certainly comes with many traditions that graduates all look forward to. It could be that walk across a stage, or the parties thrown in their honor afterwards. Maybe it’s that trip with friends to some wonderful destination to celebrate. Whatever it may be, every family and culture has a tradition to celebrate a graduation. Some people love big parties. Others do small family gatherings. Considering the time of year it is, many of the celebrations are held outdoors. With summer on the doorstep, what a great way to get it started than to party it in. We always had cookouts or pool parties. I even recall my husband holding an umbrella in the pouring rain, while standing over the grill. Some traditions will not be postponed, even by inclement weather.
Another important detail, let the graduate have a say in what they want to do. I recall letting our kids decide for themselves what they wanted. It definitely made it easier to get done, and was more enjoyable for them in the long run. Including them in the process is what it’s all about. After all, it is about them isn’t it. They accomplished it, so let them celebrate it the way they want too.
Pass the Tradition Onward
There are many traditions passed on through the years in families, only because of what is learned. Graduation is no different from birthdays, anniversaries or even holidays. Make it a special time in that person’s life. Whether they are 17 or 70, graduation is a big deal. It signifies perseverance and dedication to a job completed and hopefully well done. Congratulations to all those 2018 graduates!!!
