I work at a small college, and I attend a local church with several high school students, so I've seen first hand the disappointment these graduates have felt and are feeling about being robbed of their own graduation ceremonies. It's heart breaking.
Despite what is going on globally, their hurt is still very real and very valid.
A month or so ago, when I was asked to do some Senior Portraits with Lily there was still a possibility of having a graduation ceremony as planned. Now, everything is so far up in the air no one knows what will happen. The unknown makes it that much harder.
So, when I was asked if I would be willing to do another session with her; but this time in her cap and gown, I couldn't say yes quick enough. Yes, Yes, a thousand times YES!
If I could play any part in helping to celebrate her, I wanted to do that. I want her to look back at 2020, as a whole, not as something she just survived; but as the year she overcame challenges, the year she thrived, the year she accomplished so much and took steps the formed her future.
I wanted to give her some portraits that would help her remember all the hard work she put in, all the test she studied for, all the friends she made, all the memories of her high school years. I don't want her looking back and remembering not being able to walk in a ceremony and being disappointed. She deserves to look back and think "I did it!".
So, to all the 2020 grads out there, You Did It! I hope that you don't let the missing ceremony make you feel like you accomplished any less. You have achieved so much and have so much to look forward to, and that's exactly what I would encourage you to do; look forward. I hope you take some time to celebrate yourself and acknowledge everything you have achieved. I also hope that you acknowledge any disappointment that you feel, grieve it, you have every right to be sad; but don't stay there long. Know that your future is so much more than a ceremony.
We're proud of you. Congratulations!
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD . “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
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