The Important

I forget the Important. (I) Let's head back to my senior year in High School: Graduation. The whole school cheers because the Principal, over the loud speaker connected to each class, recently announced that Pradeepan Jeevamanoharan is the Class of 2003's Graduation Speaker. Let's head forward a week after that. Imagine a group of teachers, unable to hide their concern, approach Pradeepan Jeevamanoharan and inform him that he will not be able to give his speech. Many students, with equally concerned faces, start to gather. Then, the teachers develop their last statement: "The graduation speaker is required to graduate." Apparently, I, Pradeepan Jeevamanoharan, had failed my AP English class. I took two English classes that year, though I only needed one. However, since I took a higher English class, it replaced the credit of the lower level class. I forgot the Important: Graduation. The AP English class- rather, the Independent AP English class- did not require students to attend classes. Naturally, I forgot about the class. My english teacher allowed to make up all the work in two days. It wasn't the best quality, but she passed me, and I spoke. Speaking for my graduation class was a cornerstone in my father's respect for me, I think. This was the first time he heard me give a a full speech, and in front of an audience. Knowing that I wanted to be a preacher, and by hearing the compliments from his co-workers in the audience, my pride moved father, expressed his pride for me. (II) Let's head back to the summer of 2003: First year of college. For most people, this summer represents "the last summer" before childhood friends venture on their own. This was no different for me. Being the only one in my group of friends attending Oral Roberts University, I would be on my own soon. Understanding this prompted me to take advantage of every last opportunity. My best friend, Benjamin Joseph Block, and his family were soon moving to San Diego, California. He invited me to road trip with him. I agreed. His parents agreed. My Parents agreed. This would be our last "horrah!" However, Ben's parents decided to pray about it, and felt like the LORD told them not to let me go. So, I never got to go, and became angry. I forgot the Important: First day of College. Because I was at home, without my Ben, my dad encouraged me to fill out my loan information."First semester dates," or something like that, was one of the first questions on the sheet. Since the information concerning the date of the first day of school escaped me, I looked it up on [www.oru.edu]. "Interesting", I thought to myself. Registration starts today? I could feel the shame my father was soon to have, for his first son had forgotten about college. Most kids are counting the days until the first day of college, but not me. Instead of my planned flight, I had to drive. Also, I missed my going away party and then said goodbye to my mother at the hospital, as I took my immunization shots. Eventually, I made it to my first class. Praise the LORD. (III) Let's head back to today: Finals. Last night, I went to an amazing bachelor party for my college weekender host: Kurtis Gare. Going there, I felt free. I felt free because I took three finals yesterday, and I didn't have another one until Wednesday. I forgot the important: Finals. With this sense of freedom, I woke up at two o' clock this afternoon. Then, on the way to the bathroom, I ran into Todd Clingan. "Pradeepan, I was looking for you in the Missions final. Where were you?" Yup. You probably know what happened. According the Syllabus, if a student is absent during the final, he or she gets an automatic "F." Praise God that he is letting me take it tommorow morning! In conclusion, if I ask you for your name, or to go on a date, and I forget... Know that you are important, for that's what I forget.