During the past couple weeks, I was able to attend two pre-kindergarten graduations and the graduation at Dawson County High School. All three of those events were attended by huge crowds, as well they should have been. But, it got me to thinking, however, about the 12 years in between pre-kindergarten and 12th grade. I couldn't help but wonder if the parents of those 241 high school seniors were looking back to when their child was in pre-kindergarten and if they were already thinking about the things they had missed.

Were there awards' ceremonies that they didn't attend because a meeting at work was more important? Did they miss their child hitting the winning run in a baseball or softball game because it was just too hot to sit in the stands? Do they wish they could go back and hear their daughter sing that solo in the chorus production or their son make his speech for class officer? Were there regrets on Saturday? I sincerely hope not, but I'd almost bet that there were.

If you want to know what is going on with your child, then you need to be involved in his/her life. Pay attention to what they tell you. Listen to all their stories. Make every picture they paint for you as important as a Picasso. Go to every sporting or extracurricular event you can possibly attend and be the very best fan you can be. I hope I'll still be around in 13 years to attend the graduation of my two babies who graduated preK this year. And, I hope the parents of those graduating seniors of 2024 can honestly tell me that they have no regrets about things they may have missed.

People talk about changing the world...this would be a great place to start.

Elaine Wilson
Dawson County