In another stroll down memory lane, today’s website entry features archaic video footage of Trent Ling’s rapid-fire speech to his 1983 Pasco High School graduating class at Edgar Brown Stadium in Pasco, Washington. Who knew there were cameras back then?
Today, 29 years later, Trent still seems somewhat puzzled by the whole event. “I wasn’t really capable of expressing what I truly had in heart and mind to say,” Trent reflects. “I gave it what I had, and of course, you only get to do it once. I recall being under a time constraint and having to get the speech approved ahead of time. Though I was more used to free-wheeling even by that time, I guess it made sense not to give free reign and a microphone to someone 18 years old who thought he knew everything.”
“All in all, PHS was the best for me,” Trent continued. “Many major underpinnings of my life were formed through those years, and I wouldn’t change a thing for me–not even the things that went badly. I still think about and mourn the loss of our departed friends. We sure had some quick growing up to do in the aftermath of losing them.”
Trent thanks his dad for somehow amassing the equipment and recording the event back in the Dark Ages of home-video technology. Enjoy the clip below:
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Substance, Substance and more Substance. When you speak that’s what comes out of your mouth. Even as a young man in this video you couldn’t waste your time and the time of your hearers with some boring typical speech; it mattered to you. Decades later, you still don’t speak empty words; your words are aimed at changing lives and are aimed at giving others the opportunity to consider their own deal humbly. If you weren’t a soldier of Christ I’d tell you to run for Office since speaking truthfully despite the peanut gallery doesn’t matter to you; you just say what’s needed and not what’s popular. Amen!
It sounds like Trent! It’s Trent :o) in a mini-version. No matter the decade, the last few years of school were always nostalgic – mixed with excitement and uncertainty of the future. It felt that way up until the bible answered some looming questions that life’s problems cloudied up. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, you kept the audience in the whole way on that “speedy” roller coaster! Well done!
Of course God took me into a whole different pattern of thoughts and sorrow and stinging while reading and listening to this:
It ended in how I finally learned how ignorant I was for not knowing that the reason I used to get mad (rarely but it happened) at my daughter – was because I was not ahead of her! In the last couple years as I am remembering, I am broken hearted that in my frustration and while praying to God – I would speak loosely and angrily trying to make God understand my concern for some of my daughters decisions and influences – and while not being ahead, I remember being indignant of a couple friends that quite frankly could disappear as far as I was concerned! (I would’ve absolutely died if anything had happened to them!!!) Yikes! I’m supposed to be a guy who is offering life!! I am so glad that God knew how stupid I was! Or worse how I could never make the position as “God” for nobody would be alive! Ugh! How amazing that the James 3 scriptures also mean my conversation with God! After all – HE IS GOD!
In those times of praying to God about her friends . . . . it showed my ignorance, lack of righteousness – (never an effort to really make more of myself as a disciple of Jesus), and lack of love as I never cared enough for my daughter . . . instead just puttered along hoping God would change me. . . I’m the one that should be dead! My tongue must be reined in – and belong to God!
Wow! This humility is fantastic! Love you
Wow, I can’t imagine if you didn’t speed up the speech… I almost cry just to hear it, so sad! Thanks for sharing the moment with us. Hey, you have hair!!
Good job speedy…every once in awhile it’s great to look back to where we were…where we are…and where we are going.
And give thanks for all life lessons that we have encountered.
Wow, thanks for sharing . . . Baines, Terry and Teri . . .how sad. So many more of us are gone . . .but not forgotten.
How well I remember, being the proud parent of a speaker at his graduation. I remember being nervous about what he would say but I knew I didn’t need to worry about the delivery. So, he gets up there and gives such a heart-wrenching speech at the speed of light. He had a lot to say, as usual, and had to get it all in quickly. How nice to hear it again. I love that boy!