4 minute read
CLOSING REMARKS
Upper School Director
KIT CLOSING REMARKS
That was an amazing compendium of experiences that testifies to the value and joy of a Roeper education I’d like to extend a super-special thank you to all of our senior speakers today — these experiences could not exist without you I’d also like to single out Gloria Despard for overseeing the organization and logistics for both last night’s Junior/Senior Dinner and today’s Commencement Exercises — these events would not exist in the same way without your attention to detail and tremendous skill Thank you
During these last few difficult weeks, I’ve been thinking a lot about the notion of forgiveness I came across a metaphor while thinking about the topic that comes from a lecture by Sir William Jones, who was a prominent scholar of ancient India in the late 18th century It reads: “… this beautiful Arya couplet, which was written at least three centuries before our era, and which pronounces the duty of a good man, even in the moment of his destruction, to consist not only of forgiving, but even a desire of benefitting his destroyer, as the sandal tree, in the instant of its overthrow, sheds perfume on the axe which fells it… ” This notion was later echoed in a quote often misattributed to Mark Twain: “Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it ” This metaphor is powerful and suggests the positive residue that forgiveness can leave in this world Forgiveness is to be distinguished from mercy Being merciful is a public act, and mercy is something that may be bestowed on the one who has done harm by someone who was not the target of that harm But forgiveness is private and need only be expressed internally to have efficacy It is a power uniquely given to the one who has been harmed Forgiveness also goes hand in hand with letting go of anger, but this is a process that cannot be sped up Working through anger takes time and is rarely attributable to a single moment or decision to forgive someone In my own case, I did not realize that I have forgiven my dad for past wrongs until I saw him in a vulnerable state himself — only then was I able to notice that my feelings of anger had abated to the point where our relationship had overcome its pain and frustration I am reminded of a sentiment noted by Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr in his book, Strength to Love, in the third chapter titled, “Love in Action ” There he writes that “forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude ”
I hold this idea close to me at times like this, and I am continually practicing that permanent attitude of being forgiving I imagine that most of you in the Class of 2022 were over and done with high school long before this actual moment I imagine you may carry some pain and frustration and anger around our continuing COVID years, recent turmoil, and even personal disappointments and setbacks But of all the things that weigh you down, leave a fragrance behind as you let them go — release into the ether a reminder for others that there is freedom to be found in forgiveness
It is generally not my style to preach, but when I sat down to write these remarks, forgiveness was the theme that emerged Senior Class, I am truly amazed by your perseverance in times like these I am truly inspired by your commitment to keeping each other propped up I am truly comforted by how you have shown your love for Roeper
As you venture forth, I’ll leave you with a brief etymology, for at heart I am a word-nerd There is a reason we call today’s exercises Commencement and not Graduation Graduation marks the end of a journey, whereas commencement derives from the notion of something coming into being — not the initial seed, but rather the stage when something begins to take root It also means that it is not something you do by yourself, but rather with classmates, now as a community of alums Commencement means “to begin together ”
Hold onto your friendships and Roeper, endeavor to forgive those who have wronged, begin together to spread the humanistic values that will create a better world for all
To all the human beings who’ve joined us here on this day, please join me in my sincere congratulations to our newly minted graduates of The Roeper School — I present to you the Class of 2022! F
