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Childhood Talents, a Tribute to the Class of 2023

 I am now over 30,000 words on my book, The Daily Uplift

I look back to 2006 when I began blogging, which led to my writing of poetry, which led to me meeting others that encouraged me to develop my talent, which led to my book Caricatures of My Mind

A lot of my talent would have remained hidden if I hadn't had the influence of hundreds of student musicians that I met as the announcer for the Rittman Marching Band.

This past weekend, the Class of 2023 had their commencement ceremony. Here is a tribute I wrote today as part of my book.

Childhood Talents

 

As the announcer for the local high school marching band, it has been my privilege to see hundreds of student musicians over the years displaying talents. Many of these talents have not even been musical. Some have an artistic flair. One past student did the artwork for the cover of Caricatures of My Mind. We also have a night late in the football season where the students march in Halloween costumes. One even dressed as me.

I am writing this passage, as high school graduation was this past weekend. Another class of students will be commencing into adulthood. Some will continue their formal education. Some will establish themselves in the workforce. Some will join the military and serve the country with pride. My hope is that some will remain part of this community, as I see many young leaders.

What I hope is that they never let go of their childhood dreams. I hope they take time and further refine their talents. I hope they use their talents to influence younger students, siblings, and future offspring. I also hope they remember the town where they grew up and give back by use of their childhood talents.

It is up to us as parents and grandparents to help with the refining of these talents and encourage our children and grandchildren to work on their perfection of them.

And we need to hop into the DeLorean, go back to our past and rediscover what made us happy in our childhood years. We may discover we can make the world around us happy as well.

 

When you have the mind of a child

Your imagination is able to go wild

When with the world, you will share

You’ll find many that care

Of the dreams in your mind you have filed

 

It is not childish to hold on tight to your dreams.


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