Well...now what? Part 3

Hi everyone,

Bilbo had it right. "It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door..." I am going to start warning every new applicant to Aim that it is a dangerous path they are signing up for. And the pain at the end may hurt so bad you regret ever going on the journey. My brain tells me that regret is misguided. But right now my heart disagrees. And it's wondering how many times it has to be broken before the end of this journey. 

This will be the last email of the year! Wahoo!! And aside from the survey at the end, there aren't any dates, logistics, or important announcements so you can all feel free to stop reading right now. But if you dare go on with me, maybe those of us who still have some leftover tears from last night can find some healing. Why I wasn't able to sleep them off is a fact I find most annoying...

But yes, if truth be told I must admit I am in a very unproductive cycle right now. My heart hurts. My brain tries to make sense of it all. But I can't quite fully grasp why. Because yes, this even feels different than Part 1 and Part 2 of this email. And yes, writing this really is a selfish act--necessary for me to close the book in hopes that the waves of sadness will spread out and thin a bit until they are a dull noise in the background. Where I hope they stay for a long time. But as near as I can tell, I think it goes something like this:

I was 32 when I made the decision to open Aim and actively began working on it (even though many of the seeds were planted in my soul for Aim long before then). I was 33 when we first crossed the threshold with 10 brave eagles. That feels like a lifetime ago. And yesterday all at the same time. But 32 year old Lance seems like a baby to me now lol.

Last night was actually the first graduation I have ever been to in my life. I missed my highschool graduation because I had already skipped town and was in Korea starting a business. I earned my bachelors in economics and had efficiency drilled into my head so much I just didn't think attending graduation was an efficient use of time. My MBA and JD rolled around and I figured I had a good thing going and didn't want to spoil it. And there was no way I was going to fly back to NY for my M.Ed ceremonies after getting the bragging rights of being one of three people in Columbia's history to get a degree without ever attending on campus (I took advantage of COVID lol).

But honestly, last night would have topped them all anyways. 

I don't often speak with other Acton owners anymore, but when I do, they are always surprised that I choose to be a guide at the school. I speak even less often with my old classmates from my days at Columbia, but most of them are principals or superintendents now--many in the largest school districts in the country. They often complain about their jobs. And all of the kids in their schools. They talk about how they faked their way through graduation ceremonies and celebrate after it is over--not because of the growth of the kids, but because they get a brief reprieve from a job they dislike. They really don't get it when I tell them how sad I feel at the end of a year. 

Let alone the end of an era! Which is where we find ourselves today. Two new guides coming onboard. New families. New quests. A new identity without our graduates. And a new system of ownership that is going to help these eagles grow to a whole new level. 

So why is my heart (and many of yours...which I have text evidence to prove lol) so tender right now? Yes, it is because of the typical bittersweet feelings that come at the end of an era--the reflection on personal growth and challenges overcome, some questions about the future and the life transitions coming, of course the memories. Oh yes, the memories. 

But I think above all, it is as simple as this. The days we've had together are over. And even if we made the most of them, which we truly did, we cannot get them back. 

Stated even simpler than that--we are just going to miss our friends. 

The story of Orpheus and Eurydice made its way into Aim this last week. If you aren't familiar with it, it's worth taking a look. The most famous myth involving Orpheus is his love story with Eurydice. After Eurydice died from a snake bite, Orpheus descended into the Underworld to bring her back to life. His music softened the hearts of Hades and Persephone, who allowed Eurydice to return with him on the condition that he must not look back at her until they had both reached the upper world. Tragically, unable to hear her footsteps, only a few feet away from the exit, Orpheus lost his faith and turned to see Eurydice behind him, sending her back to be trapped in Hades's reign forever. Here is a beautiful song that goes with it. 

I wondered if Kate and Savannah would look back on their way to their cars last night. I think the story is so tragic because so many of us know what we would have done in his shoes. 

Yet, despite the pain of saying goodbye last night, there was a moment where I gathered with many of the remaining eagles, tears streaming down all of our faces, but a smile on our lips as we looked around at who remains in our tribe. We have many many many more adventures to come. Filled with intermittent brutal goodbyes. (Thank heavens we at least have two years from now until our next eagle graduates!)

Fun fact: Aim wasn't supposed to have any graduates until 2028. Actons all say that starting with high schoolers, or even middle schoolers, is a fatal error. And having been through what we have the past four years, I can see why. But I wouldn't change a thing. Aim will forever be better for it. 

If you want to know what the magic of Aim is--it is this. Think of the heroes in all of your favorite stories. If you are anything like me, they are not heroes because they are perfect. Quite the opposite. They are deeply flawed ordinary people who make mistakes over and over and over again and yet somehow find the strength to continue getting better and ultimately change the world. Those are the stories that strike a chord with all of us. Because they are our stories.

Most people read books and watch movies to escape the drudgery of real life. They fainfully imagine what it would be like to go on an adventure. 

Your kids are living some of the greatest stories ever told. And what's more...they are the main characters!!

So...Book 2 begins right now.

And spoiler alert, it is going to be beautiful.