AS the academic year draws to its conclusion, we have daily reminders of the rites of passage associated with this time: proud parents attend graduation ceremonies; gloriously elegant students are photographed arriving for the "prom"; end of year celebrations for those moving on to different stages of their education are carefully rehearsed and performed.
And the theme is always "looking back" – often with precious shared memories – but also "looking forward" – often with a mixture of excitement at the prospect of future challenges and anxiety at stepping into the unknown.
For each one of us, every day is really a transition from one stage to another. We may have long left behind the thrill or dread of facing a new class or school, but new challenges present themselves: relationships shift with the passing of time and physical frailty curtails activities previously taken for granted. This prayer, used at an end of term service for schoolchildren, is perhaps relevant to us all:
God of all beginnings and endings,
We thank you for the times we have reflected on,
for the challenges and opportunities, joys and sorrows
which we have known.
Give us all the rest and refreshment we need and guide each day as you have done in the past.
Bless us as we take up new challenges and opportunities in the future – may we continue to grow in wisdom, knowledge and compassion all our days.