Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Michael’s Graduation

My nephew graduated this spring. He is a smart, great person and that moment made me think of him and my other nieces and nephews as well as my best friend’s family. I sent this note to all of them. We are very lucky.

Michael’s Graduation

I’ve been thinking about Michael’s graduation this week. It was very important for me personally to witness the ceremony and I spent a lot of time thinking about Michael and the type of person he has become. I love his drive, his sense of humor and his choice of friends. Of course I have forgotten their names but I do remember them. The handsome, good kid who is serving in the Navy, the bright, nice kid who is studying architecture and the down to earth, kind, local kid who serves as a volunteer fireman and is involved in the town. They all represent Michael very well.

As I was beginning to write this Steve called and I was telling him about Michael. Steve also majored in Physics at McGill and graduated with a GPA over 3.8. We talked about the 18 grandchildren of Leon and Alma Langlois and Osmond and Ann Bonsey. They all are goods kids who have stayed out of trouble and continue to make good choices in regard to the people they surround themselves with.

Think about that simple statement for a minute. 18 good, motivated and kind grandchildren from two good, motivated and kind couples.

If a physics theory like the “butterfly effect” "where small variations of the initial condition of a dynamical system may produce large variations in the long term behavior of the system” or in other words the idea that the flap of a butterflies’ wings can have in impact on weather conditions a half a world away, then what is the impact of 18 positive grandchildren on the future of this world.

I think the answer is infinite but I’ll rely on the brain power of Michael and Steve to give us a concise answer.

Energy may not be able to be created or destroyed but good people can. I think we’ve all been lucky, hardworking and kind in our approach with all these kids and they will and are already having a positive impact on the world around them. They are why I believe the “future is bright.”