Mississippi’s favorite editorial cartoonist, Marshall Ramsey, gave advice for graduates this year. “Never chase trophies or honors. Fall in love with the work instead. Life is work. . . Stop saying you ‘have to do something.’ Start saying ‘I get to do something’.” Marshall has reason to know how satisfying those trophies and honors are with multiple awards, including being a Pulitzer finalist twice. In case you’ve been living in a hermit cave and missed out on his work, you can find it here: https://marshallramsey.com.
My own graduations are far back in the rearview mirror. Nevertheless, I related to what he was saying. I haven’t even been close to a Pulitzer, but I have experienced a few “atta girl’s” that felt good for a minute or two. The truth is that I “got to” teach for almost thirty years – kindergarten, second grade, and junior high. My memory says that every time school was cancelled for a bad weather day, my reaction was, “Not today. We were going to ____ today.” I only left that work behind because I was going to “get to” research and write. Many of my fellow retirees have found a similar reward either with a second career, a satisfying hobby, or being swamped in volunteer work.
Shortly after I read Marshall’s speech, I saw a news item about a UPS driver who had made deliveries for 50 years. He said he took the job, loved it, and never looked back. I can’t imagine. I’m glad I know how to drive, but I never set out to drive for pleasure even in a car. To enjoy driving a big vehicle and looking for strange addresses is beyond my understanding, but the driver understood Marshall’s advice. He “got to” drive a UPS truck for fifty years.
The rest of us may not have as many prestigious awards as Marshall, but we know the fleeting joy that comes with a medal, a ribbon, or an “atta girl.” If we pay attention, we also know that the endurance of that recognition is only a blip on the screen. Real satisfaction comes in loving our chosen work, as Marshall obviously does with his cartooning and writing. If I could have a wish for this year’s graduates and even for those who can only see graduation in a powerful rearview mirror, it would be that each day brings satisfying work.