We’re between book studies so this week we are going to reflect on the importance of anticipating transitions in our lives. This past Tuesday a man I do prison ministry visitation with passed away. I knew he was terminally ill for several months but put off making a visit once I returned home from Florida. I talked to his wife Tuesday morning to set up a visit time and she said you better hurry, he is slipping fast. I arrived at 4 pm only to find that he had slipped away at 3:35 that afternoon.
As I pondered how we often procrastinate or get too busy to keep important appointment, I thought about what happens in our KIDS HOPE USA relationships as we approach the end of the school year. For many of us, our relationship may be ending permanently as with the 5th grader I mentor who is moving on to middle school. In my latest Voices of Hope article, I suggest that mentors begin 6-8 weeks in advance of the end of the school year preparing our students for a break in our time together. THAT’S NOW! There are several other suggestions in the article for mentors to make these last visits a meaningful experience. Check it out online. Please contact me with ideas on how you set up your end of the year separation from you student. I’ll be happy to share ideas with others.