Dear Lord,
Sometimes the days go slow, and other times they fly,
And soon before you know it, it's time to say goodbye
To pleated skirts and bells and scribbled pictures on the board;
To turn away and start your journey down a stranger road.

But we have luggage for the way, a kit to keep us warm,
The strength and honesty we learned – and when the road is long,
We've got the memories of friends and pranks played long ago,
To cheer us as we trudge on through the stinging sleet and snow.

Dear God of childhood memories, thank you – now we see
The touch of your hand in all the happy times that we
Enjoyed, laughed through, lived – thank you for blessings all the way
Be with us we make new memories in the coming days.
Amen.