It’s graduation party season. There is one ceremony that I can’t wait to attend. The preschool graduation of my 5-year-old nephew, Gavin.
Gavin is totally obsessed with being a pirate. When we go out in public he wears a bandanna and a pirate hat. He even wears a holster for his sword. I don’t think he sees it as dressing up. In his mind, he is a pirate, and this is just what pirates wear.
I don’t know if his mom will let him wear his pirate garb to this important commencement ceremony. But I hope that in the commencement speech (they might have one) someone will encourage the children in Gavin’s graduating class to be true to themselves. They are each unique and beloved children of God, and at age 5 they are free to express their own truths and be authentic – even when pretending to be the fictional character, Jack Sparrow.
Even at age 5, I can see that he is revealing who he really is – creative and focused. I want to encourage him in that – and hope other adults will nurture that creativity and authenticity in him.
This message is excerpted from “’Stay authentic’ should be the subject of graduation speeches everywhere” by Elizabeth McBride from the May 28, 2020, blog of the Women of the ELCA.
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