Congratulations On A Job Well Done

Normally my column is written with a wide audience in mind, today I write thinking of one person, my oldest son Andrew.  This past week he graduated with honors from Minco High School. 

Congratulations on a job well done.

Privileged to attend school with classmates of great character and ability, you walked beside them, shoulder to shoulder, achieving as they achieved.  You and they are a blessing to the world you now enter.

Facing opportunities offered, you embraced those opportunities and made the most of them.  Dedicating countless hours to your education, you didn’t merely gain information, you mastered it.  Jumping at difficult prospects, you embraced the demands, expanding your education well beyond prescribed curriculum.  Through struggles you persevered, occasionally losing battles but never focus, forgoing excuses and finishing strong.

Supported by exceptional teachers, faculty and staff you were gracious and mindful of their contributions, honoring their efforts with your own.  Recognizing their wisdom, you allowed them to make you better.  Embracing their efforts, you have prepared yourself to succeed throughout life.

Though focusing on academics you remained well rounded.   Playing varsity basketball, your efforts on the court paralleled your efforts in the classroom earning First Team Academic All-State.  Prioritizing your spiritual life you were active in church, taking repeated opportunities as camp councilor to mentor those younger than you, supporting their efforts and encouraging their growth.  Upholding family commitments, you maintained relationships, contributed to household chores, and placed your family’s best interest above your own.

Intelligent, compassionate, moral, tolerant, focused, competent, and mature, you are blessed with many gifts.  Use them wisely and generously, remembering that you can’t determine the outcome, just the input, and that victory comes to those that seek it not occasionally, but consistently.     

Use your strengths as tools to accomplish your objectives.  Be slow to compromise but quick to adjust.  Understand the path to a goal is neither straight nor smooth.  And appreciate those around you; victories are seldom earned alone.

There are many successes in your future, celebrate them and those that helped.  Remember failure is hard, but it’s essential and contains lesson learned nowhere else.  Let neither pride nor shame determine your self-worth, both exaggerate.

Call home once in awhile, come home once in a while and remember, holidays are to be celebrated with family.  Marry for love, have beautiful babies and bear in mind, the most important job you’ll ever have is parent, do it well.

I’m honored to be a part of your life, proud of the man you’ve become and excited to see the future you’re creating.  Congratulations on a job well done.