Family Living Focus Janice Stoudnour Bedford County j Cooperative Extension Graduates Need A Family Tapestry It is the custom of our church to allow the graduating high school seniors to give a presenta tion during a Sunday worship service in May. Last Sunday morning I had the opportunity to hear four high school students who will be graduating on June 6 give their presentations. The stu dents presented their perspectives on how the church, friends, and family helped shape and mold them into the emerging adults that they have become. Now if you are like me, I knew it would be a truly moving expe rience emotionally. After all, graduation definitely ranks right up near the top of the list for me emotionally. Given four young people who you’ve known almost all of their lives as well as their parents’ lives, you can’t help get choked up when they talk about their life experiences. Coupled with the fact that one of the students was my nephew, I found it difficult seeing through a triple layer of balled up tissues and foggy tear-soaked contacts. I guess I hadn’t realized until that moment that they had really PUT THE IN DAD'S Increased Perfforman Quieter Operation Contractor Series 16 Gallon 6.0 HP Wet/Dry Vac Blower Port Instantly converts vac to powerful blower Improving Home Improvement’ www.lowes.com LOWE'S* is a registered trademark of LF Corporation. 02001 Lowe's* Home Centers, Inc. For the Lowe's nearest you call 1-800-44-LOWES. Prices may vary if there are market variations. “grown up” and were no longer the squirming young children “trying” to sit attentively in a pew each Sunday. As a family educator, I always find it interesting to hear what young men and women consider the positive motivators have been in their lives. These four gradu ates weren’t any different. They talked about their parents being involved in their lives through sports, academics, scouting, band, and other activities. Family members were cited as being sup portive in times of self-doubt and when poor personal decisions had been made. They also thanked the people in the congregation for taking time to be a part of activities like Bible School, camping, white water rafting, and caving. Then involvement showed their con cern and commitment to help them become better-rounded in dividuals. When my sons became teenag ers, I often referred to them as “man cubs.” They had one foot in manhood and one foot still under my wing. (As for myself, I was desperately clinging to each single feather stretching my wing further and further!) Deluxe Tbol Basket Provides convenience in storing accessories Last Sunday morning each person in that congregation also lifted their wings to set these newly proclaimed young adult birds free. I, as well, saw my nephew now as a man, and what a good man he had become. When you’ve been a part of young people’s lives and shared experiences with them, you be come a family member whether through blood or relationship. 1 like to think of it as a tapestry woven with each person repre senting a thread. This large ‘fam ily tapestry” provides the support and control in times of cele bration and challenge. When a thread in the tapestry becomes weak, it is important for someone else to step in to offer support and strengthen the fabric. This also serves as a safety net. If you have the opportunity to become involved in a young per son’s life through a volunteer or ganization, church, school, or just being the neighbor next door, re member even the smallest posi tive thing you do can make a dif ference. It is you who they will reflect upon as having been there to role model or offer words of advice and kindness. It is important for other adults to become involved in children’s lives and bring a new color to their tapestry. How do you let the bird out from under your wing? Provide children with the safety net of a tapestry made from love, guidance, positive life experi ences, and the knowledge that people do care what becomes of them. This is a gift we all can begin to give our graduates beginning when they are children. Gradua tion should be a time to celebrate a job well done by everyone. LOCK