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One of the most important milestones in a young person’s life is when they learn how to take their first steps. The parents applaud this moment because it means they no longer have to carry their child around. Suddenly their little baby can take off on their own and explore their newfound world with reckless abandonment!

22 or so years later the parents are once again applauding their student’s steps, steps across the graduation stage. Now the parents are clapping and probably crying! Crying tears of sadness that their baby is all grown up and tears of joy that they no longer have to pay the tuition bill! And so, like before, the student can go explore and see what the world has to offer.

The campus at TLU at the brink of summer begins with the graduation walk. Graduates walk past the wooden carving of the school mascot-Lucky the Bulldog. They affectionately pat, kiss or pause to take a picture as they walk in the graduation procession towards the chapel lawn. The sidewalk that led them to class and so many activities the past few years now leads them to their final destination-receiving their much earned degree. After everyone has received their certificate some graduates run over to Alumni Park to ring the Victory Bell. As the chimes fade into the distance, the students glance down at the bricks bearing the names of graduates before them. Realization sinks in, they are no longer students at TLU; they are alums.

Families start to walk towards their cars, the parking lot has more spaces in it than cars. A hush comes over the campus.

Now instead of cell phones ringing and people talking, you can actually hear the birds tweeting, the trees rustling and the squirrels chasing each other in trees above you. You can sit on one side of the campus and see clear across to the other side, unobstructed by groups of students walking to class. The squirrels grow braver and inch closer to you as you enjoy your lunch on one of the many picnic tables around campus. You are tempted to take your shoes off and walk through the green grass or try dipping your toes into the fountain in Alumni Park. If you happen across anyone as you walk across campus, you stop and actually take time to find out how their day is going. You don’t need to hurry to Hein Dining Hall to beat the lunch crowd or rush to get to class, so you stop and chat awhile.

The TLU Campus is shaded by large oak and pecan trees, hence the squirrel invasion; but it really fits the phrase- Jewel of the Guadalupe. I think I’ll take time to enjoy this beautiful summer season … the shoes are coming off and the grass is calling….