On the plane ride across country yesterday I closed my eyes and let the song list play. Bob Dylan is, of course, the iconic songwriter of our generation, and Joan Baez’ angelic voice is one I imagine listening to on the way into a peaceful afterlife. I guess I was in the spirit to listen to the words of a song within the context of preparing to give a talk on the future of education, and this is what I heard:
May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung
May you stay forever young
I have helped create a few mission statements and strategic plans in my time with schools, and read a lot more. We all share each other’s wisdom and discuss how we can prepare our young charges for the challenges of the road ahead. I’m not sure we can do better than adopt the directives of “Forever Young”. I could parse this out and explain what I mean line-by-line, how each phrase applies to education in the 21st Century, or in any other century, but no one reading this blog needs that, and I would feel small.
Have a great week.
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