A big event in a young woman's life

  

First to acknowledge a great family event, when Caroline graduated from high school. Here she stands in the center next to my son Russ. His wife Michelle stands on the other side of Caroline, and their other two daughters, Kate and Audrey are the bookends.

I wasn't able to attend Caroline's graduation, but I know she had an inspiring speech to send her off to her beginning of college next year. 

I share another commencement address...at least a small part.

"Refuse to play it safe, for it is from the wavering edge of risk that the sweetest honey of freedom drips and drips. Live dangerously, live lovingly. Believe in magic. Nourish your imagination. Use your head, even if it means going out of your mind. Learn, like the lemon and the tomato learned, the laws of the sun. Become aware, like the jungle became aware, of your own perfume. Remember that life is much too serious to take seriously – so never forget how to play."

Tom Robbins, author, giving the "lost commencement speech" 1974 to The Off Campus School in Oak Harbor, an alternative high school in Washington state. it was recently found by journalist Fred Obee.

Tom Robbins