Rob Oxford: High School Graduation

By Rob Oxford

First may I say... CONGRATULATIONS!... You did it!

12 years worth of homework, studying for pop quizzes, creating art projects, writing book reports, attending band and orchestra performances, choir concerts, school plays, and sitting through teacher conferences.

Yes Mom and Dad, you did it and you should be very proud of yourselves.

To merely say that time has flown by is the ultimate in understatements. Your baby and in our case first born, is about to receive their diploma. High School will soon be a distant memory, but hopefully a fond one.

Perhaps in some ways we are fortunate. My wife still has another 3 years of making sack lunches, signing permission slips and each morning attempting to wake a sleeping giant. Our youngest will be a Sophomore next year. For the most part we have succeeded. We did what we set out to do.

As parents we took on the responsibility of making sure our student understood the value of a good education. We offered guidance. We set limits. We administered punishment. We shared advice that sometimes fell on deaf ears. We encouraged respectful behavior. We warned against bullying. We demanded honesty. We taught acceptance. We spared no expense. We hoped for things that didn't always develop. We loved unconditionally and we did the very best we could.

To the parents of the Graduating Seniors of 2018 we say, "good job!" For they hold the promise. As cliché as it may sound, they are the future.

To the Graduating Seniors themselves and on behalf of your parents we say, "You're welcome. It has truly been our pleasure."

"Now go and do great things, we'll be watching."