Moments in Time

by Michele Boy | May 22, 2025

It’s the last day of school. Another school year has ended. It has had a few challenges but overall a great one. In the last week, we have covered high school graduation, kindergarten graduation, and eighth grade promotion (next week’s paper). 
High school graduation sent my thoughts to picturing my own child walking down the aisle and what photos we might put in her senior slideshow,what her journey might look like. 
Kindergarten graduation made me teary as I watched these precious tiny humans walking nervously amongst a crowd of people. Some smiled, some rushed, all were adorable and so innocent. I remembered my daughter taking those big steps. Those moments are so precious. 
  At eighth grade promotion I liked seeing these not quite high schoolers dressed up, poised, and handling the evening smartly. 
There were also presentations, awards assemblies, golf and track meets. If you don’t see things in this week’s paper, look for some of it to be covered next week.
While people speak of kids today and struggle with the idea that they are not built the same way we were, I want to say I was proud to watch these students embarking on their next adventures, be it first grade, freshman year, or taking on the world. 
I love the support systems of the teachers, coaches, staff, family, and friends that make their journeys easier. 
 And by easier I don’t mean without challenges. I mean the support to help them through their challenges, to find the lessons, the perspectives that help them to push through, and grow. 
Someone recently pointed out how they liked the perspective I had on a particular situation. I responded by noting that it was a friend who helped guide me. So I don’t believe we are ever to old to learn new ways.a
  Memorial Day weekend has always been the start of summer for me. It arrived early this year! When I look at our summer schedule it seems busier than ever. 
 They are all good things, our choices, but I won’t lie - a week’s vacation on a beach with family, books, friends, sightseeing, sounds lovely!
So as summer begins I hope we all get the time to think about our summer goals. Reading? Family time? Adventures? Relaxation? Friends? Livestock shows? Ha. 
 And as my daughter gets older, life gets busier in new and different ways, I realize how precious time together is. 
  On Monday the junior high spent the day at Sam’s Pond canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. I ran out there to take some pictures and ended up staying a few hours. Later a friend stopped at the office and we visited for a while. I may have had to work later because of it, but stopping and enjoying life is sometimes last on the to do list.  
Sometimes we are too busy and just need to slow down. In my grand list of all the things to do, quiet time and stopping isn’t on there.
So here is to a great start to summer! May it be a bit of relaxation, fun, friends, building memories. 
And on this Memorial Day, may we stop and give thanks to those who sacrificed their lives for us to have these freedoms.