Graduation is upon us. College graduations have already taken place. High school graduations are coming up. Even preschoolers these days graduate so it is a process that all students relate to.

I always think — is it a beginning or is it an end? I think that depends on the level of the graduation as well as the personality of the student. A preschooler looks forward to a great deal more education. Most of them are eager to go to kindergarten. It is a beginning for them.

High school students have a choice to make. Either they continue their education by going to a trade school or college or they go out and look for a job. It is an end to their studies at that level in either case. For those continuing their studies it is a beginning of something more. For those looking for a job it is an end to their studies and the beginning of working for a salary or possibly getting married.

It used to be that women looked forward to getting married — some of them right out of high school. Now days that goal takes a back seat to getting an education and finding a job. Marriage is delayed in our society in favor of a career.

Benjamin Franklin once said, “If we fail to prepare, we prepare to fail.” Think about that! What is possible to do in life without preparation? Athletes are constantly preparing. They develop their bodies to accomplish the tasks at hand. They develop their minds to prepare them for their sport. Do not think that those who are involved in Olympic events have not made sacrifices. In some cases, they have sacrificed their whole childhood to prepare.

Those who pursue a career in music devote endless hours to practice. Artists devote hours to creating a masterpiece.

Professionals have prepared. They have gone through rigorous college classes in many cases before entering graduate school. Then, in graduate school they have gained more knowledge in their field as well as some practical experience. Some go to school year-round.

Even in marriage, there is a need to prepare. Life as a couple is not the same as life alone or in an arrangement where there is no commitment. There are many adjustments to make. Marriage is full of compromises. There must be a give and take to make it work. I think in many instances this is where marriages fail. Neither party is willing to compromise — each wants to have his/her own way.

Graduation is an important part of the journey that is your life. It is not an end or a beginning, it is simply part of your life. When we think of life as a journey we realize that the ultimate end is death. At that point we hope that we have accomplished all that life has in store for us.

I am now at least three-quarters of the way through my journey. When I look back I have no regrets, only things that I wished I had done differently. You learn so much from life. It is impossible to know all of the things you need to know early on. You bumble through things hoping for the best.

When I became a mother, there were so many things about raising children that I did not know. I had my teaching certificate, but that did not mean that I knew all about children. A young lady who recently visited told us she was taking psychology courses so that she would know how to raise children. I jokingly told her that I did not think that would help. Children try you at every turn and you learn to adjust to all of the situations. It is a process of trial and error. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, but all of the time you learn.

I remember my high school graduation. I was happy. I looked forward to going to college to become a teacher. The only part that was sad was the parting of friends. I knew I would probably not see many of them for a long time. Our foreign exchange students were departing for home. Would we ever see them again?

College graduation was another experience entirely. I was a commuter so my experiences of college life were minimal. At that point I had a job and was looking forward to moving and beginning the next phase of my life.

My first job turned out to be a disappointment. We were asked when we accepted our contract about grade placement. I gave my three preferences and when I received my assignment I was given my third choice. I worked hard, but just was not happy.

Of course, by then I was in a serious relationship with the man who I later married. He was 90 miles away so that was a factor. I found a job in Jamestown, N.Y. — kindergarten at the old Rogers School. I loved my new job.

Another graduation was in my future. I returned to college to complete my master’s degree. That was completed while I was employed full-time as a teacher so that was very hard work. My husband insisted that I attend that graduation ceremony. He and my children were able to attend. He missed my first graduation because of time in the National Guard.

As you can see graduation has never been an end to my learning. I continued to learn and still learn new things constantly. My education was a stepping stone to life.

If you know a young person who graduates this year the most important thing that you can do is to say a prayer for them. They will make mistakes, but they will hopefully rise above them. Simply, keep them in your prayers.

Ann Swanson writes from her home in Russell, Pa. Contact at hickoryheights1@verizon.net.