Editor's Note: A sincere thank you to Wanda Smith for the ten years of inspirational columns that she has contributed to our publications. We wish her well in her future endeavours.
Congratulations to the Grads of 2021! I trust you had a blessed graduation season! Only 31 short years ago, I stood on the gymnasium stage of my small town school.I felt so beautiful; clad in a long, deep purple satin gown with a satin/lace bodice. My escort, Brad, was a childhood friend who picked me up in his parents’ ritzy car and brought his charm and wit along with it. I had so much fun. The graduation ceremonies in our small town school were usually very long, hot and sometimes boring but they were the culmination of all we (and our parents) had worked towards for 13 years and it was special nonetheless. Part of our tradition was the singing of “Auld Lang Syne” as the evening concluded; we’d cross our arms and grab our neighbour’s hands and sing as an entire congregation. I wonder if they still sing it at the end of the service? Mrs. Rees would be so proud if our school continued this tradition!
“Auld Lang Syne” (roughly translated means “for old times’ sake”) was originally a Scottish poem about preserving old friendships and reminiscing about past adventures and events. Robert Burns, a national poet, was the original author of the words. It was later set to music, compiled by George Thomson. “Should old acquaintance be forgot... and never brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot, And old lang syne? (Chorus:) For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We’ll take a cup of kindness yet, For auld lang syne.” The phrase “a cup o’kindness” means with “good will, friendship and kind regard.” (Canadian version)
Little did I know when I started my journey with the Moose Jaw Express in January 2011 that I would have to say goodbye over 10 years later... It has been a tremendous blessing to work for this business and with Joan Ritchie. What started as a simple act of faith by volunteering a few articles, took me into a place that would become my world for the next 10 years. I lived and breathed this column... sharing my heart and God’s heart every week through the ebb and flow of life.
To top it off, I have had the best readers in the world (that’s YOU)! I have so enjoyed coming into your home each week. Many of you have inspired, encouraged and prayed for me in this opportunity; your words have been my bread at times. I have been so humbled and privileged to be given this tremendous responsibility to bring you fresh manna each week. You’ve been along for the ride as my sweet peas have grown. You’ve read my best and you’ve read my worst. We’ve laughed. We’ve cried. We’ve celebrated and mourned. And now, once again, I am taking a simple step of faith to follow Holy Spirit into the next unknown. Once I got into the swing of this weekly responsibility, I never once considered stopping. But now I am having to think back on the last 10 years of being with you... and extending my cup o’kindness of good will, friendship and kind regard as we reflect and remember.
My prayer above all is that you KNOW God: know His power... His love... and His redemption. And know that I will cherish these years deeply. It is with a tremendous depth of appreciation, I say “so long and God bless.” Should old acquaintance be forgot... we’ll take a cup o’kindness yet for auld lang syne.
onthefrontporch@outlook.com.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
