Winter certainly isn’t the best time to fly to Pennsylvania but that is exactly where I spent a few days just before Christmas. It was for an event that I have been looking forward to for at least the last four years if not the last 23 years, my son Matt’s graduation from college.
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi
It is hard to believe our kids can grow up so fast. If it was up to many parents I am sure that we would want to keep those young happy faces forever. In lieu of that we just hope that they will grow up healthy and happy and become productive members of society.
Matt is doing what many hope to do and that is working toward living his dream occupation. I still remember a 10-year-old declaring that he wanted to be an Archeologist when he grew up.
As the years went by his resolve and ambition just seemed to grow stronger. Having some learning difficulties just made the dream a bit harder to pursue but nothing is impossible if you put your mind and your heart to accomplishing a goal. Archeology is one of those careers that require at minimum a college degree and Matt is well on his way to making the dream a reality as he just graduated from Clarion University with a degree in Anthropology.
Matt will tell you that achieving that degree certainly was not easy. Being across the country from family and friends just made the challenge more interesting.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
It was great fun traveling across the country (flying from California) to meet some of Matt’s Pennsylvania friends, adopted family and his college advisor.
Landing in Pittsburg the weather was cold, snowy and 4 degrees. I believe the very coldest weather I have ever been in, but dressing in layers and renting a car with heated seats and four-wheel drive made the environment downright comfortable.
Clarion is a small town about two hours from Pittsburgh; Clarion University is a small but beautiful campus.
The ceremony was moving especially for this proud Mom.
Although the weather for the trip was cold with snow and sleet I did manage to get out and take a walk on the golf course adjacent to the hotel. We rounded out the trip by heading to the local movie theater the see “Rogue One” the new Star Wars movie. All in all a great time and an awesome way to wind up 2016.
“The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny.” – Albert Ellis
Now comes the next chapter in his life and this Mom is hoping that her son will take this opportunity to gain experience and explore the world. Cheers Matt – here is to your future, hoping your career dreams come true.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain
Nice! Congratulations to Matt on this milestone!
Congratulations to you both. How exciting for your son.
Congratulations, you are a proud mom, you can see it in your smile!