My Entrance Video

"Education will give you options." My husband says that often. It's now his motto. That wasn't always the case. You see, he didn't come from an educationally supportive family. His parents weren't there pushing him, encouraging him to do more, or to even try his best. They were merely trying to survive in the world in which they lived. He lost his ambition somewhere along the way in his childhood. College? No, that definitely out of the question. Graduating high school was almost out of reach. Until, one day. He was in high school, going through the motions, accepting the fact that his cards had been dealt, and he had a losing hand. In one of this classes, a Junior Achievement volunteer came in and taught his class about the business world, about financial literacy, and about life. The volunteer told the class that, "Education will give you options." It struck a deep chord in my husband. It woke him up. It gave him the inspiration he needed to control his own life, and write his own song. 

We've all had my husband as a student. The potential is there, the support is lacking. What can we do to inspire that child to greatness? How can we encourage him to write his own song? As educators, it's our life's mission.

Blogger Blue Cereal Education has challenged #OklaEd to choose their Entrance Video for the coming school year. I have always been a Celine Dion fan, so naturally my mind went to her songs, and one in particular: "Unfinished Songs".  It's true, we are all unfinished songs whether we are 4, 15, 36, or 67 years old.  

My husband's song is far from finished, but he has had successful verses along the way. He graduated high school, graduated college, works for Junior Achievement, and serves the people in our city on the City Council.  Most importantly, he's a loving husband and amazing father. He wants to give back, to inspire others to greatness, and encourage others to write their own song. He certainly does all of those things for this teacher. He's my number one fan. We are still writing our song. 

Watch the making of "Unfinished Songs" here.

LYRICS

So you’re thinking it’s ending
But it’s only just begun
Your whole life is there right
Right in front of you
Life’s a story that is all twists and turns
All that matters is the lessons we learn

’Cause we’re all unfinished songs
Waiting for the best part to come along, hey, hey
And we’re all pictures half drawn
We can be anything we want, hey, hey

Now is your time
It’s your life
No one’s living it but you
In your hands is your chance to live the life you choose
Life’s like music
There’s so much still unsung
Make it magic
There’s so much still to come

’Cause we’re all unfinished songs
Waiting for the best part to come along, hey, hey
And we’re all pictures half drawn
We can be anything we want, hey, hey

You can write the song
And write the story
Live all of this life in all its glory
Take the time to make the time to make each moment count
It’s your life
It’s your call
Grab the chance
Have it all

’Cause we’re all unfinished songs
Waiting for the best part to come along, hey, hey
And we’re all pictures half drawn
We can be anything we want, hey, hey

’Cause we’re all unfinished songs
Waiting for the best part to come along, hey, hey

You can write the song
And write the story

-- 

(Diane Warren)