Even with COVID, it is still that time of year.

Schools have been deciding just how they want to approach having students back in class.

Parents have had to decide how they want their own children to attend school during these difficult times.

It could be home school, online school, physical school, or a hybrid of any or all of them.

No matter what the choice, someone will be entering or leaving, coming or going.

I’ve always thought that I would rather, as Paula White says, “Go where you are celebrated, not where you’re tolerated”.

When my children were small, I read something somewhere that begged the question, “Does your face light up when your child enters the room?”

In other words, do they feel that you want them there?

The same can be said about our spouses, our friends, or aquaintances.

It can also be said about people present at the activities we attend, and even our jobs.

Do they feel like you are glad to see them?

How we are greeted, can determine how we feel about where we are, and even change how we do the activities, or the job that is before us.

So greetings are important.

So too, are farewells.

Farewells can help to set the tone for both success, and for failure, wanting to return, and wanting to stay away.

A good farewell sets us up for a good day/time/event.

I always managed to to tell my children the same thing when they left;

“Have fun! Be careful!”

Their dad always said “Watch them deer – they are running!”

To this day, even as grown ups, no matter what time of day or year – the same words are uttered at their leaving.

They have become important to our children, historically speaking.

They still recite those words to us, many times with a chuckle.

They know that there is nothing but love behind those words.

I did a short poll on my Facebook page, asking others what they said to their kids whenever they were leaving.

Here are a few of the responses;

1. One said she prayed with them.

2. Do the next right thing.

3. Make smart choices, watch for deer, love you.

4. (Currently) Are you staying in your pajamas today? Remember you have class connect today.

5. Make good choices.

6. Be kind and brave,and strong and true.

(Note that good choices and deer have tied for the lead! lol)

So. How do your people feel when they come home?

How do they feel when they launch out into their daily worlds?

Have you equipped them with the self esteem they need to face it?

Will your words “historically” cause them to feel their worth?

Good questions to ponder I think.

Until next time …