October 03, 2012

Packing for a Life’s Journey.



This time of year I always journey back in mind to my own school years, and then my god children’s.  At the first hint of fall, I unpack memories of what were some of the happiest of days - memories that travel with me.

My memories of the pleasures of fall, of greeting old friends and making new ones, were refreshed this year when I returned to give the commencement address celebrating our anniversary.  

It was to this school I went on my first journey away from home, taking with me all the things my family had given me, especially my grandmother’s unfailing inspiration and good common sense.  More important than the sweaters and books in my overstuffed luggage were the lessons she taught: Hold on to your dreams, do what you think is right, take joy in living each day.  By example, she showed me the great potential women have.

I have taken many journeys since, and with each, added to the values I call the baggage of my life.  (I use the word baggage in a positive sense, because the sum of our experiences determines who we are.)  What I carry with me is pride in my feminine heritage, and what I have received is doubtless because of it.  School, marriage, family, friends, career - so many priced parcels to take along, to serve me in the day’s to come.

I hope that the travels you undertake will remind you, as my grandmother might have, that happiness is in the journey.


for Anja and Clive



7 comments:

Unknown said...

well said

Anja said...

thank you

frenchtoast said...

always the right words at the right time, thank you.

Baldur said...

ah, time flies.

Dr. Bunsen and ... said...

Ah, what have we done with our one wild and precious life?

Tartanscot said...

“What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” It’s a crucial and enduring question; we can’t answer it once and for all and be done with it. We have to answer it day by day, hour by hour, and breath by breath with each choice we make, with the things we do and leave undone, and with the paths we take and those we leave un-taken.
There is an old Cherokee proverb which says:
“When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.” It’s up to you.

Alistair said...

Hear, hear.