From childhood on, it was obvious that math and science would not be where I made my mark in the world. Being translated, that meant not only would I not grow up to become an engineer or scientist of any kind but it would also be a toss-up as to whether I got out of high school calculus without failing the course, much less blowing the college requirements looming on the horizon.
Instead, in school I was into English and history and civics and especially lunch, recess and end of day. Thankfully — and maybe even mercifully — my 12th grade algebra/trig experience ended with a moderately strong D-minus and the college experience took only three tries to meet the necessary two courses.
Now, as my much better half and I enter into a new world, I’m reminded of two things that my math experiences point out. You see, the first and oldest of our brood of grandchildren is completing his high school career and he’s off to another adventure — N.C. State in August.
Funny, but years ago as a dyed-in-the-wool UNC alumnus, the mere thought of that would have sent me into spasms. Now, somehow, it doesn’t seem like that much of a big deal… and it isn’t. Anyway, because he’s good (really good) at algebra and calculus, he’s making noises about studying to become an engineer, which brings me to the two points mentioned earlier.
One is, as the Book says, as long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease. That means that every May, countless folks will hang up their high school careers, as well as some college and even post-grad studies to embark on another chapter of life. And that can be a bit daunting, even with well thought-out plans, preparations and prayers.
There are, of course, other milestones of life other than graduations that come around this time of year. Marriages, for one, and birthdays for another. Still, more folks across the board graduate than get married or have babies when the calendar pages flip in May and June. So, as long as there’s the earth, some things will continue year after year after year after…
The other is that even with that large number of similarities, there are great differences and therein, perhaps, is the real lesson in and of life. It was all I could do to open the math textbook; my 18-year-old grandson works those problems for fun.
What does it all mean? Generally speaking, for us all it means life and its cycles and patterns will continue in some way, shape, form or fashion until Kingdom Come and it doesn’t any longer. And when those cycles come, we all will have to adjust accordingly.
Secondly and specifically as for point two, for my tribe, it means those adjustments play out differently. For me, it’s a bit of a reminder of my own academic career and how maybe I could have been a bit more diligent in the classroom. I’ve told my grandson not to let school interfere with his education but I’d rather he not be quite as careless as I was sometimes trying that during my time. As for his mama, she’s dealing with her own bittersweet time — happy and proud but a bit something else, especially as she looks at old photos. His grandmother, who put so much into his first five years, said the other night she’d just like to hug him, something not easy for her to do since she’s 5-ft, 3 and he’s a foot taller. So, you see, we’re all different.
But you know, we all have our specific responses to those common milestones along the way. And there is some security on this side of the Great Divide in knowing the order of those things. It’ll be a few more years before the second of our grands takes a similar step. I hope I can remember all this when that day comes.
Bob Wachs is a native of Chatham County and emeritus editor at Chatham News & Record. He serves as pastor of Bear Creek Baptist Church.
