Dear Aly, upon your high school graduation

Posted on May 31, 2020May 31, 2020 by Matt Todd

Click here for some graduation-inspired mood music.

Well, I’m not going to say anything about how this is not anything like any of us imagined. But seriously. When you walked into the hallowed halls of your Kindergarten class, the last thing anyone thought was “Oh, I hope her class doesn’t have to graduate in the middle of a shutdown caused by a pandemic.”

And yet here we are.

There’s a bright side to all of this, you know. Chance the Rapper, Billie Eilish, and the Jonas Brothers performed at your prom. President Obama spoke at your commencement.

Well. Kind of.

But all of that just helped reinforce the fact that the you and your classmates were a class for the record books. This really shouldn’t be a surprise to any of us who watched you grow up. They broke the mold with you. You’ve always marched to your own beat.

Can you find Aly? She’s in there somewhere.

Of course, that’s not the only photo I’m going to share. I’ve waited 18 years for this, kiddo.

See? You’re one of a kind, kid.

The fun, memorable pictures are only a small fraction of what makes you so unique. Alyson, you are kind, compassionate, and caring. There are going to be times when people try to make you think that’s some kind of weakness.

It’s not.

You extend your kindness, compassion, and caring to anything and anyone. That, my dear, is a strength. Don’t ever forget that.

You’re going to change the world.

I know. I know. That’s what they all say at graduation. But I really do believe it. Your strengths – your kindness, compassion, and caring – are the characteristics that we need to make the world a better place. So as you take on the world as a high school graduate, please remember these three things.

Remember who you are. You’re a daughter of the King. He loves you. And He has begun a good work in you that He is going to use to help change the world around us.
Do well. In school, friendships, work, family, and everything in between, do your best and put in the hard work. You’ve got this. I know you’re going to do well.
Do good. Loving and caring for others is always a strength, never a weakness. You were made to do good.

Aly on her last day of high school. Her graduation ceremony is a month from now.

Congratulations on your graduation!

A significant chapter in your life is coming to a close. I can’t wait to watch the next one unfold. You’re going to do great things, Aly.

Because you’re already doing great things.

Love you, kiddo!

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Matt Todd

Howdy. I'm Matt. My wife, Christy, and I have four kids and two dogs, I'm passionate about orphan care. I'm a die-hard fan of the Evansville Aces, the Indiana Hoosiers, and Star Wars. I'm trying to live life by the Todd family motto: "It behooves us to live!"