jasonenglish1.com

We haven’t been properly introduced.

It’s my fault. A post titled “Who Am I? Why Am I Here?” has been parked in my drafts folder since Monday. A State of my Union. Deciding exactly what said post says takes me back ten years.

Back in 1996, in a shameless resume-building exercise, I ran a successful campaign for Senior Class President. The position was largely ceremonial, with three notable exceptions. First, my name was forever carved onto the Gavel of Leadership, a strange statue that rests proudly in the display case across from the main office. (I guess that’s pretty ceremonial as well. There was, in fact, a ceremony. Yellow roses and candles were somehow involved. I’m not making this up.)

Second, I entered into a de facto agreement to plan and execute all future reunions. In 2002, by the power vested in me, I declared our five-year unnecessary.

Then there was that third responsibility: the graduation speech.

Nobody remembers what I said. Not my classmates, not my parents, not even me. It wasn’t funny, didn’t make you cry, didn’t make you think. At some point, approaching deadlines and declining confidence prompted me to abandon the desire to make it memorable. I spoke clearly, hitting every syllable. But I didn’t enunciate anything.

Ten years later, I’ve learned my lesson. I’ll take all the time I need. I know “Who Am I? Why Am I Here?” will be far more memorable than my Class of ‘97 graduation remarks. Even if I can’t remember what they were.