Every year for many years, I would write a poem for the graduating third graders at our local elementary. Since I retired last year, the principal asked if I would still keep writing the poem, if I would. So I did, but was unable to go to the end-of-the-year award ceremony to read it because my husband had a doctor's appointment. Our principal read it in my place.

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Keeping Yourself Honorable

Seconds, minutes, hours, days
Have passed so quickly, have sped away,
Months jogged by through smiles and tears
Now you are ending another school year.

Hard work and humor, frowns and laughs
Given to you by teachers and staff,
Ups and downs and in betweens
Some of you wishing you were already teens?

Today we are here honoring you, students of Third Grade
Yet our memories of you will never fade,
As the Class of 2007-2008, you have eagerly displayed
Your own personality and uniqueness in a diverse way.

Your tackled and conquered the required TAKS Test
You studied, you learned, you did your best,
Now you are ready to move up to Intermediate School
Having to learn a brand new set of rules.

There are so many things you've already learned
Yet one important lesson should be your concern,
Please pay attention to your own path of life
Staying off of other's paths will limit your strife.

Remember your manners, be good and be kind
And throughout your life you will happily find,
These simple directions will help you hold your head up high
Keeping yourself honorable, never giving up, always try!

by
Karen