Our village school has a touching tradition – one in which the parents of grade 7 children read them inspirational letters as they embark on the rite of passage between primary and high school.
Some letters are comical, while others trigger floods of tears – particularly among the girls, for whom the entire event is an emotional heart-fest of farewells, endings and a last nod to childhood.
Others take the form of poems, such as Jane’s tribute to her 13-year-old twins, or music – Darryl brought his guitar and sang to his son Nathan.
There was nary a dry eye in the house.
Written (or sung) reflections at the end of any era are a solid, necessary means to give pause, thanks and consideration: look how far you have come; and how much more adventure awaits.
The youth, in particular, need acknowledgement; for it is the one age when dreams are not yet dashed, and the world is theirs for the taking.
Each age and stage should be like this, but there you go. Adults may re-discover it; but only once we extricate ourselves from the mundane reality of modern-day life, and remember that we are more than our thigh size, economic standing or recorded success.
In my letter to my daughter, I talked to both her and the class about the value of shattering one’s limits every day.
They’ve heard it all before – but most adults don’t truly give them the space or time to push against the limit, test the boundary, and break it.
Still, it’s valuable mental fodder. And worth repeating every day – or at least once a year, whether to yourself, or a group of newly-hatched teens.
I told them this: No matter what anybody tells you, your words and ideas can change the world.
No matter what anybody tells you, there is at least one person in the world who is your champion and who believes in you. Find that person. That person matters.
No matter what anybody tells you, it is also your job to be a champion for someone who needs one. Remember that.
No matter what anybody tells you, what you think matters. There is a place for you and you will find your voice.
No matter what anybody tells you, you are ready to fly – and you, every single one of you, will make your lives extraordinary. Imagine a world in which every teen launched into adulthood with that sentiment in mind?
Spread the word.