Bursting with Pride for Our College Graduate
Reflections about my son as he moves on to life’s next phase.
Four years ago, we moved our youngest child— our baby and only son — into college at The Ohio State University. The pandemic overshadowed his freshman orientation with a staggered drop-off schedule, face mask requirements, and social distancing. Two weeks into the fall semester, a positive COVID test sent him to a quarantine dorm, where he spent most of his time alone and ordered meals delivered to his room. Not what any of us had envisioned.
Starting college on the wrong foot made last weekend’s commencement ceremony much sweeter. Seeing my son graduate as part of the Class of 2024 made this mama immeasurably proud!
Like most parents, I endured moments of doubt after dropping him off at the age of 18. Would he make good choices? Make new friends? Study hard? Stay safe and out of trouble? Would he finish in four years and be prepared for his next steps?
And while he tested my patience (more than once), the smile on his face as he walked toward us in his cap and gown made up for any of his past shenanigans. I spotted him pretty quickly, even amidst the 12,555 students receiving their diplomas during the three-hour ceremony, which could have been more meaningful if they’d broken it up into…
