"fireflies of gratefulness"
This is the senior response I gave at my college graduation. It is difficult to put into words how amazing, joyful, inspiring, and lovely graduation, and our journey at Tabor, was for all of us - but "grateful" is a good start.
Senior Response 2012
Sarah Wyckoff
Sarah Wyckoff
After four years as a Tabor student, there are three things I know to be true:
1. I know it takes only one Dr. Chris Dick midterm to make Noah Webster turn over in his grace and rewrite the definition for the word “study.”
2. Contrary to popular belief, I know not all diplomas come with a diamond ring, but I sure thought I paid for one, so I’m expecting a refund.
3. I know that in a world where intentional living is quickly becoming an extinct lifestyle, we have much to be grateful for.
1. I know it takes only one Dr. Chris Dick midterm to make Noah Webster turn over in his grace and rewrite the definition for the word “study.”
2. Contrary to popular belief, I know not all diplomas come with a diamond ring, but I sure thought I paid for one, so I’m expecting a refund.
3. I know that in a world where intentional living is quickly becoming an extinct lifestyle, we have much to be grateful for.
For me, the reason why I came is not the reason why I stayed. I believe God did His most sacred work in my soul here through pain and disappointment, but the community that surrounded me through it all was exactly the soft place I needed to land. I believe people are the ones who make certain places worth being, but more importantly, worth remaining.
Because of my time at Tabor, I have a sharper understanding of what it means to live purposefully, answer honestly, and to think critically. I know when to push back when necessary, and when to punctuate an answer with an inquiry.
But Tabor didn’t change me. God did. This institution, however, has been God’s instrument to bring about transformation in my life. It is a place of influence, a place that impacts people, whether they realize it or not.
Most students do not expect to become different here. But the thing about transformation is it sneaks up on you, gradually, like a shadow, until at the end you realize change has been two steps behind you since the very beginning. My hope is that we are all far from what we once were, and thus one step closer to who God is calling each of us to be.
Some people believe that in order to deeply appreciate where you have been, you have to leave where you are. And although I believe this concept carries important threads of truth, I don’t want it to be the entire fabric by which I live my life.
Rather than stumbling upon gratefulness tomorrow, I want to make thanksgiving a habit today. I want to collect handfuls of sweet memories as they swiftly pass by, like fireflies on a hot summer night. I want to harvest armfuls of deep belly laughs and quirky friends and put them in a jar and sit on the back porch and watch them glow.
Because I know when the clouds hide the sun and the tide swallows the shoreline, I will need each flickering light to remind me of what I am continually rediscovering to be true: that gratefulness just might be the rain that encourages life to bloom into something beautiful.
So today, I am grateful for God’s sovereign hand that led me here. I am grateful for the Tabor community, for life-long friends and patient professors who gave me the necessary space and grace to breakdown so that I might breakthrough.
I am grateful for Kirby pies, memorable conversations seasoned with laughter in the Tabor caf, and first-pumping dance parties in the library during finals week to the immortal beat of Gloria Gaynor’s song, “I Will Survive.”
I am grateful for Kirby pies, memorable conversations seasoned with laughter in the Tabor caf, and first-pumping dance parties in the library during finals week to the immortal beat of Gloria Gaynor’s song, “I Will Survive.”
So let us never forget to say “thank you,” to celebrate, to relentlessly believe in the power of togetherness, even when isolation seems to be the easiest or only way out,because community is the thing that really gets us through.
So in conclusion, I am not entirely sure about my classmates, but I know it is difficult to summarize the way I feel when I think about stepping beyond this community.
At first I was afraid
I was petrified
Kept thinking I could never live without you by my side
But then we spent so many nights
Studying for so long
It would just be wrong
Not to leave with this song -
‘Cause we’re a pack
From different states
Wasn’t I just a freshman with a surprised look upon my face?
I was petrified
Kept thinking I could never live without you by my side
But then we spent so many nights
Studying for so long
It would just be wrong
Not to leave with this song -
‘Cause we’re a pack
From different states
Wasn’t I just a freshman with a surprised look upon my face?
I shouldn’t have taken so many naps
I would have gotten a’s instead of b’s ---But it doesn’t matter now because today, we’re graduating with degrees
So go on now, as you walk across this stage!
Find a job –
‘Cause you have student loans to pay!
And even though today we have to say goodbye
We will not crumble
Find a job –
‘Cause you have student loans to pay!
And even though today we have to say goodbye
We will not sit down and cry
Oh no, not you and I. We will survive!
We’ve got all our lives to live, got all our love to give
So watch out world -
We have arrived!
About the Author
1 comments
What a treat to see the fabled pink shoes make a live appearance when you read this in person at graduation! You are truly an inspired and inspiring person, Sarah Wyckoff.
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