A Salute to the Graduates of 2020! (And Beyond!)

In the USA, when you reach age 17 or18, you’re usually in 12th grade, which is your last year of high school. You’re a senior! It’s a pivotal moment of transition in life when you slide right into adulthood.


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But even though you are a “brand new adult”, if you were like me, you still didn’t have to pay the rent or face other responsibilities because …? Because you still live at home with your parents.


It has been decades. I graduated from high school in the 70s. But I can remember my high school graduation was a big deal! My mother, my aunts, my brothers, and sister attended the ceremony, took pictures, everybody was smiling and happy! I don’t remember getting any gifts. That’s OK. We weren’t that financially well off. It’s enough that I have good memories of that day. 



I even remember the summer after I graduated I didn’t even get a job. I just stayed at home the whole summer. My mom let me enjoy those last few months of freedom with no responsibility. Then when September came I registered to start classes at the university and life carried on, but … IN A MAJOR WAY. It was my first real step towards independence. Got checked into my dorm room, registered for classes, signed up for a part-time college work-study job, and there was no parent or teacher there nagging and telling me what to do. If something needed to be done, it was all on me!

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This post is inspired by the fact that my last child, my daughter, graduated from high school, Class of 2019. Woo Hoo! Her first year of college is not what she imagined.  This post is also dedicated to the high school graduating Class of 2020.  Because of the COVID-19 pandemic that transition for my daughter and for you has not exactly been smooth.  But the transition is happening.  Pandemic or no pandemic.  You're on the move now!

For each class of seniors, no matter what the year, it always takes me back to my own graduation ceremony.  I think I get more excited than the graduating class. Sharing some wise quotes to encourage all graduates and set them on the right path. Hoping and praying for your success!

“Stay on the course, never lose focus.”

In Hindi, they don’t say Congratulations! They say “Mujhe tum logo kiyadd bilkul nahi aayegi” which means “You’ve achieved success!”

“…Don’t wait for the future to change you, change your future.”

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”

♦

“The road to success is complicated. Pedal away!” ~ #Wisewords for the #highschool #graduates : #Successquotes #Successtips #quotes #graduation ~ #Advice from Brandon Lobo aka lobobrandon ~ https://t.co/4rrPRVvjAg pic.twitter.com/WWIrE4pkSV

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) February 22, 2019

Content previously published at Virily.com