school year ending....

As the school year is winding down my school speaking schedule has been at a fever pitch as of late. This is a popular time of year for career days which has kept me on the road quite a bit.

I really enjoy speaking to schools because each school is different and each grade is different. To quote Forrest Gump... they are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get!

This past week I spoke to a bunch of groups of kids at Green Acres Elem in Cobb County. The kids were great! I spoke to just about every grade level before the day was all said and done. The best part about it was that before I left for the day I was delivered thank you notes from one of the groups I spoke to that morning!!! Talk about fast! It took months for me to write my wedding thank yous! :-)

Here are pictures of a few of the drawings/notes...






Aren't they classic?!? :-)

Thank you notes are by far and away my favorite way to be thanked for speaking. I love the shirts, mugs, and gift cards... but nothing beats a thank you note/picture from a kid. I was telling someone at Green Acres on Friday that I actually have kept every thank you note I have received since I began my career in 1996! I have no idea what I will do with them, but I can not imagine throwing them away. Kids that made a note and gave them to me in 1996 are now in college or older!!! That will make you feel old in a hurry! :-)

Above is a picture of me with Brynn, a 3rd grader, whose school I spoke to a few weeks ago. Her mom e-mailed me this picture and said it was funny to listen to Brynn & her sister, who is in 1st grade), compare notes on what I did with the two grade levels. Before you know it I will be speaking to kids whose parents I have spoken to!

In a way I am both happy (I get a break) & sad (I will miss the kids) that the school year is coming to an end... I imagine a little bit like the kids themselves. That being said, I know that the summer will fly by and that August will be here before you know it!

Have a great summer and thanks for a great year, kids!


--Chris