The Places He Will Go

I am now the mother of a high school graduate. Tonight was Trevor's senior piano recital, after which he received his high school diploma from the Philipp Nicolai Lutheran Academy (the name of our home school). Trevor's dad noted at the end of the recital that the audience had just heard the valedictorian of the class give the valedictory address . . . through this fingers. ;-)

We then adjourned to the church gym for the reception and before the bestowing of the diploma surprised Trevor with a few presentations. First, several family members and friends offered some lovely toasts. Thank you, all--you know who you are. Second, Phillip and I read a story that has become quite special to our family. You are probably familiar with it: Dr. Seuss' The Places You'll Go. The book was given to Trevor by my parents shortly after he was born. We have read it many times over the years and its words have never rung more true than they did today. Then, we played the video below. You are invited to watch and listen (with ears none too discriminating, please). The video contains photos of Trevor from birth to age 18 and is set to a song Phillip wrote some years ago with a friend. The song, entitled "The Places You Will Go," was inspired by the Dr. Seuss book and was originally composed for an ad campaign for Children's Hospital of Illinois. Phillip and I recorded it a few weeks ago for this video, which my daughter Caitlin put together for me with pictures I provided. I hope you enjoy it. (Personally, I have not made it through one viewing without crying, but then again, I'm extra fond of the subject.)

A few details to watch for: the music notes on Trevor's outfit in his hospital photo. And the Husker shirt his daddy was wearing when he held Trevor in the hospital the first time. Who would have thought that all these years later we would be sending that baby boy off to major in music at the University of Nebraska. It's almost as if God knew all along what the future had in store. :-)

(By the way, when the music changes, you have reached the end of the photos.)

Places from Cheryl on Vimeo.