To My Son Andrew As He (Virtually) Graduates

05.19.20: your scheduled graduation from Chattahoochee High School.

You - like so many other Class of 2020 seniors around the world - won’t experience the traditional experience and celebration. Just one more event added to the list of cancellations this spring.

We know how disappointing it is, especially since exactly a year ago you witnessed all of your sister’s high school senior year activities.

Watching how you handled the shutdown of events made me realize that you didn’t need a formal ceremony to show you’re ready the road ahead…

             Keeping it all in perspective: You understood that this was bigger than you. Losing out on activities doesn’t compare to people losing their lives.

             Relationships matter: I love how you found ways to still connect virtually with your friends by pulling out old online video games to pass the time – and I especially love how your dad and I got to spend more time with you and your sister then we ever would have.

             Attitude is everything: Staying positive and accepting the situation for what it was made you appreciate how fortunate we are to be healthy and safe as a family.   

             Finish strong: Although you were already accepted into college and getting good grades finishing your final semester wasn’t as critical, you kept working hard to improve your GPA even higher  than before.

As you prepare to join your sister at the University of Alabama, I hope you reflect back on this time thinking about how much you’ve gained, not lost. Unfortunately, this is not the case for so many people, between the loss of life, loss of jobs, disparate treatment, and economic impact, the road for recovery will be difficult for many.

So as you move forward this summer - turning 18 and trying to make up for lost time, remember that your big heart and kind soul are so needed right now.

There will continue to be a lot of uncertainty but one thing is certain, Andrew, you are ready to Roll (Tide!)