On Friday we were fortunate to attend Chelsey's graduation at BYU. She is a bright STAR and graduated Summa Cum Laude. (We're always so glad to get those good genetic infusions into our family) It was a fun day. Her future is a sweet and ripe fruit waiting to be picked off the tree. BYU graduation day is also a day that makes me think back to my own graduation.
When you are a college student, the sky is the limit! You think nothing is impossible and that you will make a significant contribution and be important and famous someday. Maybe you will write a novel, invent a gismo that will change the world, or become a famous artist/politician/celebrity/scientist/General Authority. You are an important somebody and will be even a more important somebody someday! And it is good to think that way.
But actually, President Hinckley understood it the best when he said, “Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. The fact is that most putts don’t drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just ordinary people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, and most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is just like an old time rail journey … delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.”
Graduation day reminds me of that. I turned out to just be an ordinary person after all. I'm not famous, I didn't write a book, I don't use math very much, and some days my kids don't even like me. Graduation reminds me of lost dreams and makes me a little wistful at times. But graduation also reminds me of the full life Heavenly Father has given me, blessings more numerous than I ever hoped for. Joys more joyful than I imagined. Graduation day reminds me to thank Him for letting me have the ride of my life.
Congratulations Chelsey! Good luck on figuring it all out!
Way to Go Chelsey!
ReplyDeleteWow...if there's a quote I should start carrying around in my pocket each day I'd say this is it. It's spot on. So much so that I'm almost speechless (which is big for me) :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your sweet post Kristy. The more time I've spent with you and your family, the more I've realized how much we really are alike. I see all my best qualities in you (and many more I hope and wish I'll someday have too...emphasis on the words "hope" and "wish" there...creativity, kindness, culinary skills, and good taste aren't the sort of thing you just pick up along the way). Anyway, with that said, the reason I so loved your post is because it reminded me of all the REAL successes I do have to look forward to.
Thanks so much for taking the time out of your busy, busy, BUSY lives to come and support me that day. I'm not sure you'll ever know how much it meant to me to have all of you there cheering me on. That's what made my day...more-so than any diploma or honors ever could have.
I think you're exceptional. I think your life is too. And I feel so, so blessed to be a part of it.
Thanks again Kristy! Love you!