The View From Here – Big Changes
Our youngest daughter just graduated from high school. GASP. I was okay during the ceremony but today, rewatching the videos and looking at the pictures, I’m feeling all the feelings.
So many big changes coming. College in the fall. The path to a lifelong career possibly right around the corner.
What advice do you have for parents about to become empty nesters? What advice do you have for college bound kids?
I remember leaving high school and not feeling ready AT ALL for being an adult. I was 17 when I graduated high school. I’m not even sure I wanted to go to college. It just seemed like the next step. I remember the end of high school trying to figure it out. Come up with the answer to that question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” or “What do you want to do with the rest of your life?”
Um, gulp, I don’t really know? Because I don’t even have plans for the summer yet. I don’t even know who I am yet. Because trying to answer that question feels scary and impossible and the fear of making the wrong decision is sitting heavy on my shoulders.
I remember having three choices – business, early childhood education and radio.
The business application process seemed to be a lot of work. Early Childhood Education – I didn’t really feel drawn to that. But radio? Now that was a program I was drawn to. Radio, Television and Journalism at Lambton College. RTJ. I loved music. All music. The only thing I was worried about? I was incredibly shy and not outgoing at all, which is one of the things I thought was required in radio.
In the end, that’s what I chose. I graduated in 1991. I’ve been working in radio ever since.
I never left home though. I stayed at home and drove back and forth.
I look at my daughters and hope that I have taught them all they need to know to get by in the world. I hope they go after their dreams. I hope they are confident in their choices and go on to make a difference in this world.
