Im not very good on the words end of things, but am generally inclined during special events to try to give something that could serve as a reminder of the day and the import of the event years from now.
Usually something symbolic, If no ring then maybe a family heirloom or something significant that she can have forever that will serve as a reminder after memory has faded the words
I agree with you on the gift idea mstar. Something to serve as a tangible reminder of the day is appropriate. Pearls don't have to be expensive, perhaps a pearl pendant or pair of ear rings. Fresh water pearls are very attractive and are much less costly than salt water ones.
What about "Oh, the Places You'll Go" by Dr. Seuss? It's a graduation favorite, although I don't know if you'll get the right amount of resonance with that squeaky twang of yours.
Seriously, what is it you want to capture? A general message? Or something more personal from you to her?
Oh, the Places You'll Go!
by Dr. Seuss
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.
You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.
And you may not find any
you'll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you'll head straight out of town.
It's opener there
in the wide open air.
Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.
And when things start to happen,
don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too.
OH!
THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!
You'll be on your way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.
You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
Except when you don't
Because, sometimes, you won't.
I'm sorry to say so
but, sadly, it's true
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.
You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You'll be left in a Lurch.
You'll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you'll be in a Slump.
And when you're in a Slump,
you're not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.
You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they're darked.
A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?
And IF you go in, should you turn left or right...
or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.
You can get so confused
that you'll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place...
...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.
NO!
That's not for you!
Somehow you'll escape
all that waiting and staying.
You'll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.
With banner flip-flapping,
once more you'll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you're that kind of a guy!
Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. there are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame! You'll be famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.
Except when they don't.
Because, sometimes, they won't.
I'm afraid that some times
you'll play lonely games too.
Games you can't win
'cause you'll play against you.
All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you'll be quite a lot.
And when you're alone, there's a very good chance
you'll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won't want to go on.
Raising you and knowing you has been like having the light of life dawning in our home. You have filled our home with reverence, purity and a heart that seeks higher and better things.
Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
60:2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
Isaiah 60:19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
Psalm 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
Psalm 43:3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
Raising you and knowing you has been like having the light of life dawning in our home. You have filled our home with reverence, purity and a heart that seeks higher and better things.
She sounds like such a wonderful girl and what a sweet father you are!
Hey Evan long time no chat since tha moon rising over tha onion fields of Texas. I wish ya daughter tha best! I am sure if'n she is anything like you she will do fine in life. My son is going into a 22 week program away from home and yer asking a question here helped me reflect. I thought of an old fisherman's prayer....Keep us O' God! The sea is so big and our boats are so little!
Failure always keeps us humble and Success keeps us trying!
I am gona send me kido off wif this verse: O' magnify the Lord with me, Let us exalt his name together. Psalm34:3
Okay, here it is in finished form. I removed the scripture references and personalized some of the verses with her name and personal pronouns. It works out to exactly 3 minutes, which is my mandated time limit:
________________________________________
Raising you and knowing you has been like having the light of life dawning in our home. You have filled our home with reverence, purity and a heart that seeks higher and better things.
I begin by quoting something you wrote:
“I must, then, actively pursue and do the will of the Lord. The Bible is full of commandments and
charges—how am I to obey except I devote my time to doing so? Paul certainly did, testifying that “labouring night and day…we preached unto you the gospel of God” (1 Thess. 2:9). Micah makes our duty clear:”
...What doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk
humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8B)
In the words of the prophet:
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
As said the Psalmist:
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
Therefore Christine, fear not, neither be thou afraid: but be thou very courageous, For I the Lord shall be with you, withersoever thou goest.
The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are bold as a lion
You have received a grand calling that connects you, both to us, and to the God of heaven. The vision of your calling enables you to think and live higher & more nobly. “Normalcy”, in the worldly sense, and mediocrity are detestable to you. The extraordinary and the supernatural is your rightful destiny.
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made YOU free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
When you speak, Christine, speak as the oracles of God; when you minister, do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen
You have a way with words and I know it comes from the heart. I've been wondering something, though. If these are done one at a time.. won't the ceremony take forever? That's why I dread attending graduations for instance.. It takes nearly two hours just to call out the names of 500+ students and allow them time to walk up and get their diplomas. Maybe there just a few in this home school organization?
Participation in this ceremony is voluntary & paid for by the participating families. Therefore, we've got about a dozen in this ceremony.
And for senior graduation, we've got about 28 signed on at this point, which is about 2/3 of the seniors in our particular group. Bear in mind there are 6+ other home school organization in our little metro area alone.
Congrats Evan...and Most Certainly Christine! I pray it was day that will go down in the infamy of you memories to be cherished forever, and yes Sudo said it appropriately; Evan ya do have a way wif words! Congratulations from the Littlehawk household...Your tha bestest! God Bless Ya !
Everybody got all dressed up, we went to White Oak Plantation and had a nice little ceremony with a reception afterwards. No tears or anything earth-shaking, but it was appropriately solemn & meaningful.
I'm on pins-and-needles - got goose bumps - this is big...
(Can you share?)
(Please?)
Chuck, I did the script that was back post before last or so. I read it to my daughter in the presence of that august company while she emoted appropriately, looking beautiful in her formal outfit.
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krys
Proverbs 31 - - the virtuous woman?
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GeorgeStGeorge
That's what immediately came to my mind. as well.
George
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laleo
Something along these lines?
Poem: "First Lesson," by Philip Booth from Lifelines: Selected Poems 1950-1999 (Viking).
First Lesson
Lie back, daughter, let your head
be tipped back in the cup of my hand.
Gently, and I will hold you. Spread
your arms wide, lie out on the stream
and look high at the gulls. A dead-
man's-float is face down. You will dive
and swim soon enough where this tidewater
ebbs to the sea. Daughter, believe
me, when you tire on the long thrash
to your island, lie up, and survive.
As you float now, where I held you
and let go, remember when fear
cramps your heart what I told you:
lie gently and wide to the light-year
stars, lie back, and the sea will hold you.
http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/programs/2002/02/25/
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markomalley
Reading a Psalm or two would likely be appropriate. A couple that might work may be:
I believe either of those two have some very apt advice.
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johniam
Can music be played during the 2-3 minutes?
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TheEvan
Interesting, laleo. Unfortunately my voice lacks the soft resonance of Garrison Keillor's.
Keep 'em coming folks. This helps.
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mstar1
Im not very good on the words end of things, but am generally inclined during special events to try to give something that could serve as a reminder of the day and the import of the event years from now.
Usually something symbolic, If no ring then maybe a family heirloom or something significant that she can have forever that will serve as a reminder after memory has faded the words
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krys
I agree with you on the gift idea mstar. Something to serve as a tangible reminder of the day is appropriate. Pearls don't have to be expensive, perhaps a pearl pendant or pair of ear rings. Fresh water pearls are very attractive and are much less costly than salt water ones.
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laleo
What about "Oh, the Places You'll Go" by Dr. Seuss? It's a graduation favorite, although I don't know if you'll get the right amount of resonance with that squeaky twang of yours.
Seriously, what is it you want to capture? A general message? Or something more personal from you to her?
Oh, the Places You'll Go!
by Dr. Seuss
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.
You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.
And you may not find any
you'll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you'll head straight out of town.
It's opener there
in the wide open air.
Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.
And when things start to happen,
don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too.
OH!
THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!
You'll be on your way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.
You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
Except when you don't
Because, sometimes, you won't.
I'm sorry to say so
but, sadly, it's true
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.
You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You'll be left in a Lurch.
You'll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you'll be in a Slump.
And when you're in a Slump,
you're not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.
You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they're darked.
A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?
And IF you go in, should you turn left or right...
or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.
You can get so confused
that you'll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place...
...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.
NO!
That's not for you!
Somehow you'll escape
all that waiting and staying.
You'll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.
With banner flip-flapping,
once more you'll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you're that kind of a guy!
Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. there are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame! You'll be famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.
Except when they don't.
Because, sometimes, they won't.
I'm afraid that some times
you'll play lonely games too.
Games you can't win
'cause you'll play against you.
All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you'll be quite a lot.
And when you're alone, there's a very good chance
you'll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won't want to go on.
But on you will go
though the weather be foul
On you will go
though your enemies prowl
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.
On and on you will hike
and I know you'll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.
You'll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You'll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
you're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!
http://www.mit.edu/people/adorai/seuss/seussboy.html
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TheEvan
Okay here are some ideas I've cobbled together:
Raising you and knowing you has been like having the light of life dawning in our home. You have filled our home with reverence, purity and a heart that seeks higher and better things.
Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
60:2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
Isaiah 60:19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
Psalm 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
Psalm 43:3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
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CM
speak from the heart
and try not to cry....
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krys
That sounds just fine TheEven. Please let us know how it went.
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jardinero
Hi Evan,
Hey, the verses are great, but this says it all:
She sounds like such a wonderful girl and what a sweet father you are!
Yes, please let us know how it goes tomorrow.
J.
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Littlehawk
Hey Evan long time no chat since tha moon rising over tha onion fields of Texas. I wish ya daughter tha best! I am sure if'n she is anything like you she will do fine in life. My son is going into a 22 week program away from home and yer asking a question here helped me reflect. I thought of an old fisherman's prayer....Keep us O' God! The sea is so big and our boats are so little!
Failure always keeps us humble and Success keeps us trying!
I am gona send me kido off wif this verse: O' magnify the Lord with me, Let us exalt his name together. Psalm34:3
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TheEvan
Okay, here it is in finished form. I removed the scripture references and personalized some of the verses with her name and personal pronouns. It works out to exactly 3 minutes, which is my mandated time limit:
________________________________________
Raising you and knowing you has been like having the light of life dawning in our home. You have filled our home with reverence, purity and a heart that seeks higher and better things.
I begin by quoting something you wrote:
“I must, then, actively pursue and do the will of the Lord. The Bible is full of commandments and
charges—how am I to obey except I devote my time to doing so? Paul certainly did, testifying that “labouring night and day…we preached unto you the gospel of God” (1 Thess. 2:9). Micah makes our duty clear:”
...What doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk
humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8B)
In the words of the prophet:
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
As said the Psalmist:
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
Therefore Christine, fear not, neither be thou afraid: but be thou very courageous, For I the Lord shall be with you, withersoever thou goest.
The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are bold as a lion
You have received a grand calling that connects you, both to us, and to the God of heaven. The vision of your calling enables you to think and live higher & more nobly. “Normalcy”, in the worldly sense, and mediocrity are detestable to you. The extraordinary and the supernatural is your rightful destiny.
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made YOU free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
When you speak, Christine, speak as the oracles of God; when you minister, do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen
Edited by TheEvanLink to comment
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Sudo
Evan,
You have a way with words and I know it comes from the heart. I've been wondering something, though. If these are done one at a time.. won't the ceremony take forever? That's why I dread attending graduations for instance.. It takes nearly two hours just to call out the names of 500+ students and allow them time to walk up and get their diplomas. Maybe there just a few in this home school organization?
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TheEvan
Participation in this ceremony is voluntary & paid for by the participating families. Therefore, we've got about a dozen in this ceremony.
And for senior graduation, we've got about 28 signed on at this point, which is about 2/3 of the seniors in our particular group. Bear in mind there are 6+ other home school organization in our little metro area alone.
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laleo
Did you get through it without crying?
Congratulations to you and your family.
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Littlehawk
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marypoppins
Evan the finished article looked great, I believe you had a great day,
Fill us in on the details :)
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Al Poole
So........ what happened ...........
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TheEvan
Everybody got all dressed up, we went to White Oak Plantation and had a nice little ceremony with a reception afterwards. No tears or anything earth-shaking, but it was appropriately solemn & meaningful.
White Oak Plantation
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ChasUFarley
So....
What did you decide to do?
I'm on pins-and-needles - got goose bumps - this is big...
(Can you share?)
(Please?)
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TheEvan
Chuck, I did the script that was back post before last or so. I read it to my daughter in the presence of that august company while she emoted appropriately, looking beautiful in her formal outfit.
That, friend, is the shot n' long of it.
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