at the international school where I teach in Korea.
(These kiddos started first grade the same year that I graduated high school!)
Last Thursday was the promotion ceremony for the 8th grade class.
And several of the members of the World Race October Squad also recently graduated college, so congratulations to all of you!
At our high school, the graduates are given the opportunity to address the community
after they have received their diploma and
shaken the hands of the principal, the headmaster, and president of the school board.
That’s quite a line-up, plus the lights are shining brightly on the stage, and
some girls forgot to practice walking in those heels, so it can be a bit overwhelming.
Some graduates simply nod and to the audience
as they move their tassel from one side of the cap to the other.
But other graduates take the time
to recognize the people who have helped them along the way.
but tonight I was thinking it’s actually quite nice (for the parents and us teachers)
to hear the sincere words of gratitude expressed directly and publicly.
The leaving teachers (me included) had a chance to say goodbye
to our school community last weekend at our annual faculty barbeque.
I admit I choked up – unfortunate, especially since I had prepared an interpretative dance!
But, as the graduates and other October World Race participants are about to realize,
it’s hard to leave “home” and start a new adventure.
I wanted my friends and colleagues to know
how significant they have been to my experiences here.
(not the song, but the whole ceremony hoop-la and formal attitude).
I guess it’s mostly because my family never celebrated anything.
But I am starting to appreciate certain rites of passage as necessary parts of transition.
by treasuring them in your heart, but also
by recognizing and expressing thanks to/for them.
