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Dear editor—or I could say, dear graduating seniors because this one’s for you,

I hope all of our seniors have read and enjoyed Dr. Jim Foster’s regular feature article on April 23rd of this year, because it was about you. Maybe you or your parents glanced at the article with the boxed photo labeled “MAKE YOUR OWN KITE,” and didn’t realize this is about you. Before I get into trouble for misquoting the entire feature, I will tell you that you need to pick up the newspaper and read it. It’s one of Dr. Foster’s finest.

Okay, now that you’ve enjoyed the article…I will share with you another perspective on this subject of manufacturing your own kite. If you haven’t done this yet, this could be the time.

Now that graduation day is looming on the horizon, there are so many things to do and plan. So many hopes mingled with doubts. Did I study enough? Will I pass science class? Did I turn that last paper in? When was it due? Did the dog eat it???

And then there is that myriad of fears and insecurities. It appears that everyone knows where they’re going, what they’re going to do right after removing the graduation gown and tossing it in the corner. Then it’s supposed to be “hello, World! Here I come!”

This is where the kites come in, because in a sense, you are one of those unique, beautiful home-made kites with the focus on “unique.” Don’t ever look at your classmates and compare yourself. That line of thought will only damage your kite frame and hinder your flight.

I am predicting that on day one, you’ll watch many of the others sail high into that vast blue Shelbina sky and go sailing into exciting directions forming a different sort of Jetstream with the kite’s tail. You stare up and watch them sailing away and vanishing into a promising and glorious future.

Maybe your kite will have the misfortune of getting stuck in the nearest tree, and hopelessly damaged. Senior, I will assure you that if your kite should get delayed by the claws of a nearby tree, you have the ability to free that creation and your efforts to climb and set it free will only make it stronger and more beautiful. I promise.

Then, there’s the kites that are reluctant to get airborne. You think, I have the only kite in existence that has a fear of heights. Great. And then maybe you have a father, mother, or foster parent who whispers in your ear, “Honey, just pick it up and RUN!” And you wonder, isn’t that cheating? Isn’t it supposed to fly on its own? You might even sit down on the ground and stare at that flat, hopeless looking piece of wood and paper with a sad looking tail made out of Grandpa’s old shirt laying in the grass.

Graduate, listen to that voice of the one encouraging you now, because they are the ones who know. If you listen sometime, they will tell you. So you gaze up at the impossibly expansive patch of blue that you could get lost in, and you shake your head. You’re not sure if you hear that voice anymore. What did he say?

And then there’s a breeze, the smallest movement of air that seemed to flow from a nearby bird flying overhead. I know that’s impossible, but hang on. That breeze has reached under that wood and paper contraption and has started to lift the corner in a way that can only mean one thing. Yes, Senior, it wants to fly.

You might look around you to be sure no one is watching because you don’t want to look foolish. You can only imagine how much they would tease and embarrass you in the school cafeteria.

Now, this is where it matters, Graduate. You are no longer that youth sitting behind a desk everyday staring at the teacher and the blackboard. No, you are being launched into greater things, into a world that needs you, a world that will be excited by your talents and ability. You have worked for this for twelve years, Graduate. This is your time. This is yours.

Now, Precious Graduate, pick up that creation made of pieces of wood and paper and run. The world is waiting.

Sincerely,

Colleen Janik