You Are Free to Fly Your Plane

Written for Samuel’s grandparents for his graduation

You are free to fly your plane whenever you want

You can land it wherever you please

On your next flight

Don’t forget we love you

Remember what is important

And take note of what you need to be happy

Try to make good choices when you are at the wheel

And if you get lost or take a wrong turn

Don’t forget that most side roads will take you to the main ones

Unscheduled trips will always teach you valuable lessons

And the education that you will receive living your life…

Will be far greater an achievement

Than any accomplishment you can imagine

On your journey around the world and as you begin to find yourself

Be careful but not so careful

That you treat yourself like a package marked “Fragile!”

Life is to be lived -- every day

And despite what anyone says, live your life to experience joy

Finding the joy in your life will give you everything most people yearn for!

Don’t lose yourself in the process to a commercialized life

There are no creams that make you younger

And age is only a number

Remember that someday 50 years old will seem young

So make lots of mistakes so you can learn lots of lessons

And when you get to be a senior you will have no regrets

Take note of important points

Wipe your feet at the door – and your floor will always be clean

Smell the flowers whenever possible

It is a sure way to stop the world from spinning

Say please and thank you

Protect your compassionate heart and be kind

Kindness is really the only thing that matters!

Take note that words cannot be taken back

And apologies are mostly all the time too simple

So think before you speak -- especially when words are fueled by anger

You will never regret thinking first and speaking second

But you will almost always regret speaking first and thinking second

Almost all the time, the choices you make will matter in one way or another

So think before you choose and never look back

Always be OK with the choices you make

Even if a choice disappoints you later on

Remember life is not perfect but every day can be splendid

Especially if you start your day over -- at any second, when necessary

Now, pack your bags and get behind the wheel of your plane

And fly as high as you can

Wherever your heart takes you, wherever your dreams will come true

Love and live each day like it is your last -- smile a lot

Then smile more

And remember we will always love you

And we will always be here waiting at the airport for your return

©2016 Karen Lea