Just in case you were wondering, my family did manage to pull themselves away from their cell phones and gaming devices long enough to celebrate my son's graduation. My daughter hosted a lovely reception following the ceremony and we all had a great time.  Here's a peek:

Our family

Our extended family:

 My son and daughter-in-law:

My son (the graduate!) and his girlfriend:

And my daughter and her fiance' (also a graduate!):

Instead of a poem today, I thought I would share a great story from the commencement speaker, UW System President Kevin Reilly.  At this time of year in particular, it is nice to take time and reflect on how we choose to spend the time we have been given on earth.  Are we choosing to work in order to live or are we living to work?    Here is the parable of the investment banker and the fisherman...

An American investment banker was taking a much-needed vacation in a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. The boat had several large, fresh fish in it.

The investment banker was impressed by the quality of the fish and asked the Mexican how long it took to catch them. The Mexican replied, “Only a little while.” The banker then asked why he didn’t stay out longer and catch more fish?

The Mexican fisherman replied he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs.

The American then asked “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

The Mexican fisherman replied, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos: I have a full and busy life, senor.”

The investment banker scoffed, “I am an Ivy League MBA, and I could help you. You could spend more time fishing and with the proceeds buy a bigger boat, and with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats until eventually you would have a whole fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to the middleman you could sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You could control the product, processing and distribution.”

Then he added, “Of course, you would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City where you would run your growing enterprise.”

The Mexican fisherman asked, “But senor, how long will this all take?”

To which the American replied, “15-20 years.”

“But what then?” asked the Mexican.

The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You could make millions.”

“Millions, senor? Then what?”

To which the investment banker replied, “Then you would retire. You could move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”

I choose wine and music with my friends!  Have a wonderful Wednesday!