This is a reprint from a blog posted during the COVID shutdown, but the advice is still valid.

Dear Seniors –

Congratulations! It’s been quite a ride! No doubt this is not how you expected, planned or even dreamed your high school career would end. I am not going to insult your intelligence with the platitudes “we are in this together” or “senior strong” or “into everyone’s life a little rain will fall.” I don’t know about you, but those sayings seem shallow at best. We all get it. Missing out on all your senior year festivities stinks. You can never get back or replace those experiences or the moments you missed. You worked hard and absolutely deserved a better ending.

Life has thrown you a big curveball at this young age. Most of you were probably born around the time of the 9/11 tragedy. Believe me, it is not how your parents wanted or expected to celebrate your birth. Their lives changed 18 years ago. And now, for most of you, 18 years later, you are faced with your first life-altering change. It will be some time before it is fully known how your life will change. Trust me, it will. My first piece of advice: don’t fight the change. Life will be much easier if you learn to go with the flow.

Since you are fresh out of high school, how well do you remember your history? From World War I to the Spanish Flu to the Great Depression to World War II to the Korean War to the Vietnam War to the Swine Flu Pandemic to 9/11 (I’m sure I missed a few J). Every generation has had a great tragedy. While you are disappointed that you didn’t have prom, somewhere, someone was grieving the loss of their spouse. While you are sad that your graduation ceremonies were canceled or altered, someone lost their job and must stand in line to put food on the table. I guess what I am trying to say is keep everything in perspective.

I think someday you will look back on your senior year and realize that this was not the terrible tragedy you thought. Someone once said, “sometimes when things are falling apart they may actually be falling into place.” God is in control. He knows the beginning and He knows the end. Trust Him, recognize His goodness. Maybe it seems like He has disappeared from your life, but He is working behind the scenes. Again, trust in the perfect plan that God has for your life.

President Kennedy said it best, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” I would change that statement to bring it closer to home. What can you do for your community, your church, your co-worker, your neighbor? It doesn’t matter if you agree with the decisions or opinions of others, extend kindness, tolerance, gentleness and love wherever life takes you!

Congratulations and All the Best in your future endeavors!

Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You; I will praise Your name, for You have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure. — Isaiah 25:1 ESV