graduation: some reflections

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 Yesterday, Sunday the 15th marked the class of 2011's exit from Smith College. Like most graduates, I've got some seriously mixed feelings about this whole college-is-over-forever-GTFO business. I bawled at least once a day for most of senior week leading up to it for a variety of reasons, ranging from sadness to excitement to just being too tipsy. But mostly it's been a sense of pride.

I'm the first in my family to go to college, and you bet your ass that's a huge deal. My mama cried on the phone every time we talked about my graduating for months before the day itself, blubbering over and over how proud she was of me for making it. The fact that I spent many nights and weekends working three part-time jobs to pay my tuition only adds to that immense pride.

But it's also a pride of being part of such an incredible community of people. Yes, there have definitely been times over the last four years where I have gazed at the hipsters smoking and crowding the doorsteps of academic buildings, or when I have sighed at yet another awkward party with bad music, or when I've gone several nights in a row on meager sleep when I resented Smith, couldn't wait to not write another paper, was psyched to live somewhere with real nightlife. I can't count how many days and nights I cursed the awful (and I mean fuckin AWFUL) New England weather.

And yet.

Smith has been an amazing place to spend four years. It's taught me to accept criticism, to challenge myself, to work harder than I ever imagined for myself instead of the approval of others. I've learned to be more eloquent in my speech and mannerisms, but also to accept and be confident in my less-than-academic expressions and use of profanity. I beat my eating disorder here. I started this here lil ol' blog. I made Dean's List four years (okay, I'ma brag a little. Get over it). I learned to be compassionate and really listen to others, even when they were drunk and I held their hair or their hand while they cried.

And that's just me! Imagine what the other 600 or so members of the class of 2011 have been up to, and all that we've got yet to do. I am so impressed by my classmates, every single day, and am honestly honored to be part of such a group. It's cheesy and cliche, but we really are just on the doorsteps of the rest of our lives and our potential, and I can't wait to see what doors Smith unlocks for all of us. Sure, the first few years might be mediocre jobs before we find our promised lives of distinction, but we'll get there. The Sheriff, for one, is damn sure of it.

Congratulations to graduates everywhere! Pop a bottle for me.

Much love,
The Sheriff

When given the choice between fame and glory, take glory. Glory has a way of sneaking up on fame and stealing its lunch money later anyway. Life might very well be long, keep your eye on the horizon and live in a way that you will be proud of. You will sleep more. You'll be a better partner. You'll be a better mom. You'll be a better friend. You'll be a better boss, and you will not have to remember any complicated lies to brag about at the old age home because you can brag about the truth of your well-lived life. --Rachel Maddow, Smith College Commencement 2010