Advice from third graders

Hello again everyone. It’s great to be back! As you might recall, I worked at Dana-Farber a few years ago, left for a couple of years, and started back in the IS PMO on the last day of February (a leap year this year). This week I am “up to bat” in writing for our PMO blog. To be honest, I’ve been struggling trying to think about what to write about. I’m never sure what topic might interest people. Will my blog post be captivating, entertaining, will anyone even care?

Yesterday, when I returned home and walked into our kitchen I saw a large poster with all kinds of color Post-its. It immediately drew my attention. You see, on Friday, May 6 at 5:21 p.m. our third child (and third daughter) Brigid was born. The poster that was in our kitchen had been made by all the children in our eldest daughter Charlotte’s 3^rd grade classroom. Their teacher, Mrs. Ahern, had asked all the kids to write a nice note welcoming our newest arrival. The following are some direct quotes written by these third-graders:

• “I hope you stay safe” from Ava
• “Have good relationship with your family” from Joey
• “I hope you have a fun and exciting life” from Andrew
• “Follow your own rules. Live your own life” from Charlotte (our eldest daughter)
• “I wish for you not to get in a lot of trouble” from Robbie
• “Get a good education” from Barrett
• “I hope you have a healthy life” from Kate
• “I hope you have lots of freedom and lots of choice in your life” from Gabriella
• “I hope you stay happy all your life” from Annie
• “I hope you make lots of friends and make the world a better place” from Brooke
• “I hope you have lots of comfort” from Rebecca
• “I hope you have lots of friends” from Mira
• “I hope you do what interests you” from Clark
• “I hope you have a long good life” from Jace
• “I hope you follow your dreams” from Tyler

This made me stop and realize what opportunities and choices await a new life. It has also made me stop and think about how wonderful and adorable our next generation of children are. Reading these quotes has made me reflect on my own choices in life. I’m probably in what one might call the mid-stage of my life. What have I done with my life and have I been living a life as fulfilling as some of these quotes suggest?

Luckily, for the most part, I have lived the life that I have wanted and am happy with the choices I’ve made. That said, certain times have been difficult and I could have made better choices along the road. As I read these quotes from our younger generation, a few themes come to mind: happiness, freedom, family, education, safety, and friends.

I have read my fair share of inspirational books and articles from respected authors, but at least for now, none of them have had as much impact as this poster created by third graders and their “advice” to our newborn daughter and to all of us.

I look at this poster now every morning as I begin my day and try to remember at least one quote from it. As we go through our lives, it’s easy to get caught up in the motions – go to work, pay the bills, attend obligatory family events, care for our elders, eat, sleep, etc. and before we know it, our lives are well into our fall years.

My hope is to have a long, happy, and interesting life surrounded by friends and family. I’ll try to remember these quotes from our younger generation and incorporate them into my life when and where I can. As you reflect on your life, what has influenced you? Do you have a sticky I can add to this list?

Thank you and may you have a long, happy, and interesting life.