Thoughts on Graduating from College...
I remember my commencement day pretty well...let's just say it wasn't the typical Brown University experience, holding my newborn son and celebrating his arrival and my successful negotiation through my senior year through a pregnancy and thesis defense two days after coming home from the hospital having given birth.
Although I remember the day, I don't remember the date, although in going through my parents papers, I did recently come across the program. It might have even been 27 years ago this weekend...
This weekend also marked the graduation for a new generation of twenty somethings. Some having accomplished their journey smoothly (the kind you read about in Christmas letters, and let me tell you, there is always a back story). And some who struggled and grappled their way through, taking time off, stumbling along the way, but picking themselves up and none the less arriving at the same destination. I suspect this version is every bit as common as the smooth sail, and perhaps in some ways makes the success and accomplishment in some ways a bit sweeter. Perhaps not.
I do know today is a bit bittersweet, but OK. As I have said, I am currently in the business of trying not to shove square pegs through round holes and it seems I am getting to practice that on a daily basis. God knows I need that practice!
Today is Ithaca College's Commencement, and Matt is a part of the official graduating class of 2009, although he finished his coursework last semester. He chose not to go to the commencement, and that was fine (OK, add that to this weekend's full agenda...hmmmm...) because it is about him, not about us.
When he got the email telling him he had successfully met all his course requirements, a huge burden was released. He commented himself that it wasn't always easy, and perhaps traditional college not the route...or at least a JC for the first two years, and then transferring to a four year school...not going to college immediately out of high school. How are we really supposed to know what we want to do at that age? So young and a full life ahead.
I am thinking of a friend who is now 27, has served in India and after two years of coursework at a local state college and will be continuing his education at the University of Pennsylvania in the fall. More mature, less indebted and full of tangible life experience, this, I believe represents a wise choice.
But anyway, we are so proud of our son for having stuck it out and having accomplished the goal of a college degree. We celebrate every bit as much whether we go through the commencement activities or not. In fact, I dare say that sometimes those kind of family weekends carry with them so many mixed expectations that they can be the recipe for relational disaster.
Commencements are a time to celebrate, and commence the next chapter of life's journey and in this we celebrate with our son.
Congratulations, Matt. We love you.
Although I remember the day, I don't remember the date, although in going through my parents papers, I did recently come across the program. It might have even been 27 years ago this weekend...
This weekend also marked the graduation for a new generation of twenty somethings. Some having accomplished their journey smoothly (the kind you read about in Christmas letters, and let me tell you, there is always a back story). And some who struggled and grappled their way through, taking time off, stumbling along the way, but picking themselves up and none the less arriving at the same destination. I suspect this version is every bit as common as the smooth sail, and perhaps in some ways makes the success and accomplishment in some ways a bit sweeter. Perhaps not.
I do know today is a bit bittersweet, but OK. As I have said, I am currently in the business of trying not to shove square pegs through round holes and it seems I am getting to practice that on a daily basis. God knows I need that practice!
Today is Ithaca College's Commencement, and Matt is a part of the official graduating class of 2009, although he finished his coursework last semester. He chose not to go to the commencement, and that was fine (OK, add that to this weekend's full agenda...hmmmm...) because it is about him, not about us.
When he got the email telling him he had successfully met all his course requirements, a huge burden was released. He commented himself that it wasn't always easy, and perhaps traditional college not the route...or at least a JC for the first two years, and then transferring to a four year school...not going to college immediately out of high school. How are we really supposed to know what we want to do at that age? So young and a full life ahead.
I am thinking of a friend who is now 27, has served in India and after two years of coursework at a local state college and will be continuing his education at the University of Pennsylvania in the fall. More mature, less indebted and full of tangible life experience, this, I believe represents a wise choice.
But anyway, we are so proud of our son for having stuck it out and having accomplished the goal of a college degree. We celebrate every bit as much whether we go through the commencement activities or not. In fact, I dare say that sometimes those kind of family weekends carry with them so many mixed expectations that they can be the recipe for relational disaster.
Commencements are a time to celebrate, and commence the next chapter of life's journey and in this we celebrate with our son.
Congratulations, Matt. We love you.
Labels: celebrating success, College graduation, commencing life's journey, Non traditional college
posted by www.kathypride.com at
9:31 AM
3 Comments:
Yes, Matt. Congratulations.
My own story is one of those winding ones too. I graduated in the fall of 2005, after 5 years of college and almost as many major changes. Of course, I didn't do a full 5 years, one year I took off and for 2 terms worked and took piano and theology. I did some summer terms and I had a baby in the midst of it all. Being pregnant during college has nothing on trying to take care of a baby! Although I do have stories of having my first class of the day at on the top floor of elevatorless Deady Hall, going early every day, setting my books in the room, tromping to the lavatory to puke my breadfast, washing my face and going back to class. I have similar stories of having to trek from one side of the campus to the other all summer at lunchtime and doing the same with my lunch...and also of taking a geometry midterm while in early labor and getting 100% (my ONLY 100%).
But like you said, each path is different and full of it's own drama and struggle...and even though we cross the same finish line, the diploma, it means something different to each person.
Lots of memories. And yes, I did walk wtih my class, outdoors, in the heat of August, wtih my parents and my daughter in attendance!! I did it as much for my parents who supported me through thick and thin, as for myself. I am the only one of my siblings to get a degree.
Come to think of it, I think I'm the only one of my cousins to get a degree...although my cousin Roger might have a degree...I'll have to ask.
Okay, here we go...I'm the commencement mom, having just returned from my son's graduation (the class of 2009), at Grove City College. We stayed (all five of us in a king suite with jacuzzi which we used as a big holding tank for all our suitcases. We booked a room a year ago and that's ALL they had left (Grove City is a small town!).
Let's just say that graduation brings out the best and worst in all of us! :) Jer graduated last year with his Masters and chose not to go through the "walk." I was disappointed at first, and now I wonder why?!?!
Congrats to the Class of 2009! They have a huge job ahead of them in so many ways; they need our continued love, prayers and support(but no more MONEY!).:)
HUGS TO ALL THE MOMS OF THE CLASS OF 2009! You earned it!
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