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Dear Friends,
Negotiations for the bills left unfinished after the end of our regular session continue at the Capitol. These include some major bills such as taxes, K -12 education, and health. A bonding bill is yet to be determined as well. There is more work left to be done, though leaders feel they are close to being finished. At that point, the governor is expected to call a special session. The timing for that special session is yet to be determined.
In the meantime, I have enjoyed being back in the district, meeting with residents, and attending high school graduation open houses!
SPECIAL GRADUATION OPPORTUNITY
After returning late last week from some weeklong bill negotiations at the Capitol, I had the opportunity to attend the Albert Lea Schools ALC (Alternative Learning Center) graduation. I enjoyed watching those young champions, who persevered and worked hard to get their diploma, walk across that stage. Congratulations all!
Last Friday evening, I had the great honor of being part of the Albert Lea Area Schools' 2025 commencement ceremony by addressing the graduates as their state representative as well as an Albert Lea alumni teacher.
This was an extra special blessing for me, as my last group of first graders to graduate (my "kids!”) were sitting there as graduating seniors. I remember each one of them so well!
I shared some memories from a little book that this group of first graders wrote as a class back in 2014 about a stuffed animal's day at school. (See photos from the "authors" page below.")
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Then I read one of my favorite poems, "The Dash" by Linda Ellis. I shared about the truth that each one of us has a purpose in life that God has prepared for us, and talked about how life is not a destination, but a journey.
Thank you to the Albert Lea Schools for inviting me to take part in this special day, and to each one of those graduates for their hard work and perseverance that brought them across this finish line. I was able to greet and chat with many of my former students afterward and have included photos below with two of them - Nicholas Belshan.
And Kenzie Attig.
Congratulations, graduates!
The Dash
By Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end
He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years
For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own;
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?
Have a good weekend,
Peggy
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