Commencement

 Originally Written Between 2013-2015                                         

Way, way back – on Friday, June 1, 1962 actually, I graduated high school.  The program stated that the graduation was called Commencement.  Now, I have to admit that I didn’t think about that word, Commencement, at all.  To me, graduation was the END of high school. To me, I was ending the daily 8:30 to 3:30 school day.  No more homework.  No more bells ringing to end one class and four minutes later, start a new one.  No more this…. No more that.

I didn’t think that it was really the BEGINNING of the rest of my life.  I guess I never looked up the definition of commencement to realize that it meant to “start,” “begin,” or “originate.”  Evidently, this was a word I only used when I told someone that I was going to hear the Commencement Address that evening.

Well, that took two paragraphs to explain why I don’t know what to write about today!

Since Commencement means Beginnings, I am reminded of one of the songs from The Sound of Music – Let’s start at the very beginning.  A very good place to start.  Doe, a dear.  A female dear, Ray… a drop of golden sun…. And so forth.  

Yes, a very good place to start.  Each day is a new beginning for me.  I would like to start the morning with my mind erased and not think about the day before…  because I can’t change what has already happened or has been said.  But, I don’t.  Instead, I dwell on conversations and compose witty or snarly replies that I wish I could have said yesterday.  I guess I figure that since no one will hear me, I’m not harming anyone with my quote “remarks.”  

There are days when I am good, however, and would make Santa’s “Nice List.”  And what I really should do is try to connect two good days together and then try for three days in a row, and so forth.  Because the future hasn’t been written yet.  I have a choice to make each day a new beginning.  Will it be a triumph or a tragedy?  Will it generate precious memories or bitter regrets?

You all know that I have had more-than-my-share of problems lately with my phones, TV’s, printer, computer and Internet.  Some problems have been fixed – hopefully, permanently.  But others are fixed and then come back two days’ later – with a vengeance!  I’m trying – really trying – to start each day with a “new beginning” attitude.  But, it’s not working.  I wake up with my first thought being “well, I wonder what won’t work today?”  Unfortunately, for the past 41 days, my question has always been answered with at least one thing going wrong.  And, so I find it very hard to think positively each morning…. Especially when my suspicions are confirmed as soon as I try to turn on the TV, or make a phone call, or use the Internet.

A new year is coming in a little over three weeks. My hope for January is a new beginning – where you will never hear me talk about my TV, Phone or Internet problems again.  And in February, I will have that same hope…. And in March, April, May – well, you get the idea.  Happy New Year everyone, and may you all have Happy New Beginnings!