I am always amazed at the roads and winding paths we have drawn for ourselves all along the year of school. Your one path of your first year in 4th grade has come to a close. The path has been much like an opposing pendulum swing of a swing. You have had quite a year, the slow start, math facts you learned, sadness and anger you kept inside for so long, kid art you brought home, your always finished centers pages, sight words we practice, the music you studied, your amazing teacher, who you played with on the playground, rode the bus with, had a playdate with, the monthly homework bingo board, and so much more. Your swing went back and forth, twisted up, spinning, going up, holding tightly, going down, laying back, building steam, seeing the clouds, smelling the grass, opening our senses, filling our buckets, the drop of the stomach and the sweet mess of your hair. The swing is predictable, the wonder, the speed, the suspension, the freedom, the lift, the underdog; it gives us that one jolt of butterflies that can last with every pump of your feet and gives you the lift, energy and spirit you need to go on and go higher…..sometimes the swing can be complicated, tedious, sometimes monotonous and sometimes drones on, Why is that we always like getting back on the swing? We know monumentally the sensation that swing will bring. Just like the hopes, dreams and goals we want to achieve, the feeling of accomplishment, building our self esteem, the predictability, the distractions, the love of the people we will meet, the heart and soul of the teachers we will have, the tough questions we will answer, the journey yet unknown, the newness. We learn to want all of what we cannot predict, the stuff we cannot control and the love, courage and smarts we obtain from yet another completed year. We swing through all of highest points and take heed, pause and reflect with the lower ones. I love your sweet look of innocence and blowing me kisses. You on your swing. One year more mature. One more year of growing into your little life. Three words for you, Dare To Fail. Swing higher, touch the clouds with your toes, change directions, breathe in the sweet air, twist it up and let it go. Your swing will always be just a few steps away and perhaps your path will be just like you on your swing but maybe, just maybe, one day you will want to jump off your swing and try out the slides or scale a wall or two.
Credits:
Sahlin Stuido: Drift Away
Heather Joyce: The Reed
