First Graduation

Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend – or a meaningful day. In the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher.

My first (and last) graduation at St. Scholastica in the Philippines.

Little Tommy (who was Jewish) was doing very badly in math. His parents had tried everything: tutors, they

tried everything they could think of. Finally, in a last ditch effort, they took Tommy down and enrolled

After the first day, little Tommy came home with a very serious look on his face. He didn't even kiss his

mother hello. Instead, he went to his room and started studying. Books and papers were spread out all over

His mother was amazed. She called him down to dinnerand to her shock, the minute he was done he marched back to his room without a word and in no time he was back hitting the books as hard as before.

This went on for some time, day after day, while themother tried to understand what made all the

Finally, little Tommy brought home his report card. He quietly laid it on the table and went up to his room and hit the books. With great trepidation, his mother looked at the report card and to her surprise, little

She could no longer hold her curiosity. She went to his room and said, "Son, what was it? Was it the

nuns?" Little Tommy looked at her and shook his head, "no".

"Well, then", she replied, "was it the books, the discipline, the structure, the uniforms????

first day of school, when I saw that guy nailed to the

The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along the way.

When I grip the wheel too tight, I find I lose control.

For the taxes that I pay, because that means that I am employed.

For the mess to clean after a party, because that means that I have

For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because that means I have

For my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am out in the

For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning & gutters that

For all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means

For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because

it means I am capable of walking & that I have been blessed with

For my huge electric bill, because it means I have electricity.

For the lady behind me in church that sings off key, because it means

For a pile of laundry & ironing, because it means I have clothes to

For weariness & aching muscles & my feet that hurt at the end of the

day, because it means I have been capable of working hard.

For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it

And finally........for too much e-mail, because it means I have friends


	LAKAMBINI 2000 AND BEYOND \| home First Graduation Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend – or a meaningful day. In the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher. My first (and last) graduation at St. Scholastica in the Philippines. Subject: Catholic Math Little Tommy (who was Jewish) was doing very badly in math. His parents had tried everything: tutors, they tried everything they could think of. Finally, in a last ditch effort, they took Tommy down and enrolled him in the local Catholic school. After the first day, little Tommy came home with a very serious look on his face. He didn't even kiss his mother hello. Instead, he went to his room and started studying. Books and papers were spread out all over the room and little Tommy was hard at work. His mother was amazed. She called him down to dinnerand to her shock, the minute he was done he marched back to his room without a word and in no time he was back hitting the books as hard as before. This went on for some time, day after day, while themother tried to understand what made all the difference. Finally, little Tommy brought home his report card. He quietly laid it on the table and went up to his room and hit the books. With great trepidation, his mother looked at the report card and to her surprise, little Tommy got an A in math. She could no longer hold her curiosity. She went to his room and said, "Son, what was it? Was it the nuns?" Little Tommy looked at her and shook his head, "no". "Well, then", she replied, "was it the books, the discipline, the structure, the uniforms???? WHHHHAAAATTTT was it????" Little Tommy looked at her and said, "Well, on the first day of school, when I saw that guy nailed to the plus sign, I knew they weren't fooling around." The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along the way. When I grip the wheel too tight, I find I lose control. He who is not busy being born is busy dying. I AM THANKFUL... For the taxes that I pay, because that means that I am employed. For the mess to clean after a party, because that means that I have been surrounded by friends. For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because that means I have enough to eat. For my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am out in the sunshine. For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning & gutters that need fixing, because that means I have a home. For all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means that we have freedom of speech. For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking & that I have been blessed with transportation. For my huge electric bill, because it means I have electricity. For the lady behind me in church that sings off key, because it means that I can hear. For a pile of laundry & ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear. For weariness & aching muscles & my feet that hurt at the end of the day, because it means I have been capable of working hard. For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means that I am alive. And finally........for too much e-mail, because it means I have friends like you! SNOW !!!! I miss you so (click)