The Longest Shortest Year


As I see the photos of 2022 high school graduates, I salute them. It’s been a marathon and they just crossed the finish line. Congratulations, they deserve to celebrate.


Way back in time, I remember being an exceedingly envious high school junior as I watched my older friends march up and get their diploma. I wished it could be me. I was already dreading another whole year of school. I knew it would be the longest year of my life. And it was.


My senior year was so busy I didn’t stop to consider it would be my final year on campus.


My routine now included filling out college applications, and writing essays for every scholarship I could find. 


I learned how to answer the biggest, seemingly most critical question—“What are you doing after you graduate?” 


In between the regular classwork, I visited some colleges, and realized school wasn’t going to get any easier. 



I barely took notice of my final prom—or spirit week, or any other memorable high school event. I still had my after-school job, and I crammed in as many volunteer service jobs as possible. It looked good on scholarship applications, so they said.



Then, in what had been the hardest and longest year of my life, it had also become the shortest. Suddenly, I  was the one being handed my diploma. Graduation was held outside on the school’s football field. It was windy and my hair covered my face—but I was smiling—not because I was at the end, but because it was the beginning of a whole new chapter. For seniors that’s simultaneously exciting and daunting.


So, for the juniors out there—this next school year will be the longest and shortest year of your life. Remember it as much as you can….it’s the final lap. Let it be a sweet ending.


And for the rest of us? The one thing we learn as we get older is that the years seemingly get shorter. Why is that so? When life is busy and full, time escapes. The best way to capture it is to stop momentarily each day and thank God you’re here, and enjoy the journey. 





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