Bob might be on to something here

The following is a post from Scott Levy's LinkedIn page.  Scott is a good friend of mine, I met 8 years ago, through his wife Susan, a terrific 4th grade teacher at my last job. 

I loved this post.  I think Bob might just be on to something here.

Listen I know this is not Facebook and so I am always careful about what I post or like on LinkedIn. Last night I was sitting by a very wise 87 year old gentleman (Bob) that I play poker with once a week. He has served his country in the military, fought cancer, has had 6 bypass surgeries, had a career as a teacher, and has plenty of stories. Last night he handed me a slip of paper saying this is how he lives his life. As I sat reading what he handed to me I was struck by the depth of content and touching words to live by.

I thought to myself, what a wonderful gift this guy had just given to me. I consider Bob a “seasoned” guy not an old or elderly guy. I don’t like the term elderly or old I think it is disrespectful. This folks are “seasoned” from time, tears, blood, sweat, and have plenty they can teach all of us if we will take time to listen. I think so many times we miss or don’t take the opportunity to sit down with a grandparent or a seasoned individual and just listen to them talk. The amazing experiences and stories they can share are priceless. They can both inspire and remind us of how lucky we are today. To think about the things we take for granted today versus 50 years ago, amazing!

Sitting talking with Bob last night gave me pause to be thankful for what I have and also take time to listen to my seasoned friends. I would suggest to anybody who reads this to take time to sit down and just have a chat with a “seasoned” person. The things we can learn, the wisdom they can share is priceless. What a shame to let their special stories and experiences be lost never to be passed along to somebody else. As the father of two wonderful daughters I tell friends that as a parent I feel it is my duty and responsibility to create memories for my children. I do hope that you all will take time to listen to somebody older than you. Have them pass along one of their memories so that you can share it with the next generation.

Congratulations to the Class of 2016

The blog this week is the speech I delivered to the St. Pius X graduating class of 2016. 

Being that this is my first year as principal of St. Pius X, and as I was deciding what to say this evening, I felt that I should tell you all a little bit about myself, because my past greatly influenced this speech.  I started my career 22 years ago, as a middle school Science teacher and spent my formative years teaching fourth grade.  My favorite subject to teach was Indiana History.  As you already know, we just celebrated the 100th running of the Greatest Spectacle in racing and in December we celebrate the 200th Anniversary of our great state.  So what better way to celebrate your final event as a St. Pius student, than relate it to the State of Indiana, for you are now a part of history.

 

Indiana is divided into three distinct regions, the northern part of the state is the Lakes and Moraines(for those that don’t know what a Moraine is, it is a glacially formed accumulation of unconsolidated glacial debris, trust me I had to look that up myself).  As we travel south, you enter into the central till and plains, and then finally end in the southern hills and lowlands.  How does this relate to me, you might ask… Allow me to explain…

 

You see, when you started your education as kindergarteners, you left the comfortable home environment, to go to school.  It was like your parents threw you into the lake, to swim and learn to survive.  Trust me, for your parents it was equally as eventful, except they had to climb over the rocky soil created by the moraines.  Low and behold, before we knew it, parents were mastering the rocky soil and you were learning to swim.  Each of you became better, stronger and more independent.  You learned everything you needed to know in Kindergarten and first grade and by the time second grade came around, you were master students.

 

From here you each moved to middle grades three through six.  Much like the central till and plains is the center of the state, you are now at the center part of your education.  Because of your knowledge, this part of the state, and your educational  journey is rather flat and easy to navigate, but it takes hard work and perseverance to get the land where you want it, and so the hard work and perseverance got you to middle school.

 

Now we move into the southern hills and lowlands.  What better way to compare middle school then with the ups and downs, and the highs and lows of the southern part of our state. 

 

The workload gets more difficult and well, just more.  You get a new principal and have to learn a different way of doing everything, some of your life long school friends are going to a different high school.  All which might feel like you are traveling in the lowland parts.

 

Then there is the Washington DC trip, winning the Hawks in the Hall basketball tournament, preparing to graduate, all of which have you reaching to top of the hills and now can see so far into the future.  It is like you are on top of the world.

 

As you leave St. Pius X and head to your high school, you have been prepared both academically and prepared to handle the ups and downs you will face in high school and beyond.  You will have to adjust to a new school, a new schedule, and a whole new set of rules, much like you had to adjust to a new principal.  Know that if you can handle the ups and downs of the southern hills and lowlands, also known as middle school, you can do anything.  Whether the road is winding and curvy, hilly or flat, your knowledge is strong, and your faith is stronger.  All of which will allow you accomplish anything you put your mind to. 

 

Before I finish, I would like to thank the parents for making this commitment to our children and our Church.  Your commitment to send your children to St. Pius all but ensures the growth of our parish and the larger church.  Our children’s success happens because of your commitment and working together to make sure your children succeed.

 

The class of 2016, you have made history here at St. Pius X.  As you journey on, continue to make history where ever you go.  Know that we wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors, that we are very proud of all that you accomplished, and that you are prepared for anything that may come your way.  Know that God is with you wherever your path takes you.