Full Circle

It became abundantly obvious that day 

when he stood next to that mama tiger's cub

that he had come full circle.

Where this mom had once stood a little intimidated

by the presence of that big wild cat next to her tiny, happy boy,

now mama tiger's cub was dwarfed by him.

It was almost as though she had noticed too.

He has come full circle in ways too numerous to count.

And he's been teaching us to say goodbye

almost since we first said hello.

Tonight he graduates.

Of course we are proud of him.  He's our son.

But this one thing struck me as so appropriate.

He's a guy who values honor more than honors.

He is, indeed, graduating with honor.

"He has told you, O man, what is good:

and what does the LORD require of you

but to do justice,

to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?"

Micah 6:8

To the Class of 2018

Dear Class of 2018,

We go way back.

I met you the day we moved into the neighborhood, 

when you toddled across the yard to meet my tiny son.

I watched you grow up on the baseball diamond, 

from picking dandelions in the outfield to picking runners off at second.

You played whatever game was in season in our backyard with the neighborhood kids.

I watched the beginnings of your football career.

You did have a pretty serious game face when you were on the pitcher's mound, just learning.

When I was your age (and much younger),

 I swam with your mom.

I just met you for the first time this year, 

and I'm so thankful to know you.

Whichever it is with you, there will never be another class that graduates from high school with my firstborn.

Here's what I want you to know:

When I was your age,  it never once crossed my mind that I would be a photographer.  In fact, when I started my photography business four years ago, I STILL never dreamed I would be a senior photographer, and that I would love it.  Instead, all along, I just kept taking the right next step, from one chapter to the next.  This year when you(r mom) showed up on my doorstep, I felt so grateful to be ready for you.   Just look at all the fun I had with you!

Your life will be like that.  You might know exactly what you want to do.  You might not have a clue. But your actual future will unfold one day at a time, and it really just comes down to taking that day's best steps.

Your college plans are not the most important thing.  Your career plans aren't either.  But with each new thing you do, you will meet new people and grow in new ways, and these are the things that will change you forever.  So choose well for today, and tomorrow will take care of itself.

One more thing:

I think God did an amazing job on you.  He made you to add beauty and richness to this world unlike anyone else.  I hope you'll stay in his hands and let his light shine through you, no matter where your journey takes you.

Congratulations, Graduates!