Graduation night is a very important event in the lives of manyfamilies across the area. It is the night all of us parents havecautiously been waiting for for the past 12 years. Mixed withexcitement and sadness, graduation night brings a whole flurry ofemotions, especially for us first-timers.

It seems like only last week that I was dropping off Ann Kirkfor first grade at Mamie Martin Elementary School. It seems it wasjust a few days ago that I coached her T-Ball team and hit thatfirst tennis ball with her. It could not have been more than a dayor two since she served me lunch at the Kid’s Cafe at BrookhavenElementary School. Nor could it have been longer than justyesterday morning that she and I were conducting our “daily dogcount” on our way to Alexander Jr. High. Surely, it has not beenthree and a half years since I watched her drive down our drivewayin her lime green VW Beetle for the first time.

Gee, where have the years gone?

For the past few months, the wisdom of a parent who many yearsago told me, “cherish these moments, for they will be gone in theblink of an eye,” has rung in my ears. I remember laughing at thecomment, but I laugh no more.

Oh boy, where have the years gone?

“Cherish these moments.” These are good words not only for newparents but also new graduates. Each of you should also cherishthese moments, for they too will be gone in a blink of the eye. Allof the attention you have received over the past few months, fromspecial senior privileges to parties to graduation gifts and topats on the back, will now subside.

Reality is about to land squarely at your feet. What you do withthat reality is now solely up to you.

Some of you will marry, find jobs and start families. Cherishthose moments.

Others of you will join the workforce and start careers. Cherishthose moments.

Many others of you will further your education by pursuingbachelor’s, master’s or professional degrees. Cherish thosemoments…for they too will be gone in a blink of the eye.

As some of you will find out, opportunity will strike – butrarely does the same one strike twice. Prepare for thatopportunity. You might fail, but you might succeed. If you do fail,learn from your failures and search for new opportunities. Whilefew things are certain, one thing is: If you never try you willnever fail, but you can never succeed if you never try.

A popular notion these days is that winning is everything. Thatmay be true for sporting events but not so true for life.

Friendships and relationships are what are important, for theybring happiness and contentment. A strong faith in God will bringyou even more.

Strive for the top, but don’t forget those who helped you getthere. Treat people like you would like to be treated and most willdo the same in return. Be fair, be true, and above all, be honest.Understand that jealousy and envy will only bring heartache anddiscord.

Some of you in the coming months will leave this community,never to return except to visit. What you will learn is that thiscommunity is really no different than any other. The difference iswhat you put into it is what you get out of it.

Wherever you decide to live and work, get involved and make adifference, for you really can make a difference.

It really is a tough cruel world. There is no free pass and noone owes you anything — you have to work for what you want. Howhard and smart you work will determine how successful you will beand how satisfying that success will be to you.

What is success? Only you can determine the definition. Butrealize that money and power do not always translate into happinessand contentment. Success comes in many shapes and sizes.

Cherish these moments, but don’t just relive them and accept thestatus quo. Reach out for new horizons and create new ones.

Most importantly, remember where you came from and who helpedyou get there. Give Mom and Dad a hug this morning, for your dreamsare also theirs.

Congratulations graduates, go out there and grab this world bythe tail. Just remember, “it will all be gone in the blink of aneye,” so cherish every moment.

Write to Bill Jacobs at P.O. Box 551, Brookhaven MS 39602,or send e-mail to bjacobs@dailyleader.com.