So we all know what COVID-19 is at this point right?
My mom always said growing up that each generation goes through a historical event that changes the way people live. I knew I would live through something that would shake up my life, I just wasn't expecting mine to be an invisible enemy. But thats okay, life is unpredictable.
I talked about in my last post about all the cancelations due to the pandemic, one of which was my college graduation. I lived through one of my major life milestones on my living room couch. I turned my tassel from the right to the left and officially became an alumni of West Virginia University in Munhall, Pennsylvania. While I didn't get to walk across stage and hear my name called in the Coliseum, I still graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science in Journalism and a minor in Dance. It took 4 years of extreme hard work, blood, sweat and LOTS of tears to say that. And let me tell you- Im so dang proud of myself.
When this first started I just couldn't grasp that I wasn't getting the closure I expected. I'm so thankful WVU is hosting a separate commencement for us in December. However my mind was so set that commencement was closing the book that is "college" but now Im going to start my new book "career" and then put that one aside and re open "college" 7 months later to finally close it. But then one day I had a thought about it and now I cant stop thinking about it- maybe this whole pandemic was the best way to say goodbye to college, and here's why.
I always knew I was going to be an emotional mess at commencement because I
love the life I made at WVU so much. Don't worry, there were still PLENTY of tears yesterday but I didn't have to say goodbye to my friends, favorite professors and campus all in one day. Now when I get to finally hear my name called in the coliseum, it'll be a moment to remember all the moments in Morgantown, and not a sad day of goodbyes. (Plus now, hopefully, in my pictures I wont be a red eyed, puffy cheek mess ;)) I'll be reunited with all my favorite pals and its a perfect excuse to catch up and see how the first 6 months of adulthood have treated us.
But this mindset goes beyond commencement and into almost everything I had to say goodbye to, especially my friends. Every year at WVU I seemed to created more genuine friendships across extra circulars and classes. Some really amazing people who inspired me, pushed me and helped mold me. How in the world was I going to say goodbye to all those amazing humans? I've said a lot of really hard goodbyes - but I promise you, those would have been the worst. Coronavirus didn't give me a chance to say those goodbyes but looking back, I really believe it was a blessing in disguise.
Of course I didn't have my last class, last dance performance, last night out, last project, last chapter or last service project. But I wouldn't change how my unknowingly last weeks of college went. Putting the title of "last" on something really gives it a sad vibe. While a last is a celebration of everything done up to that point - there is still a bittersweet feeling that comes with it. My last moments, that I didn't know were last, we're really special and happy because I didn't have the sad feeling in the back of my mind.
One of the worst things I was going to have to let go of was my roommates and our
apartment - 508. I cannot express enough how much that place felt like home. I could run into Kayla's room any time of the day for unlimited company or walk into the kitchen to try one of Claire's new meals. Our nights were spent up late talking, laughing and bonding- for 3 years. I unknowingly spent my last night in that apartment. I know we were all going to have to move out anyways and I miss my roommates more than anything but I just don't know how I was going to move out of that place with everyone there.
Above all- I was robbed of these moments and how they were "supposed" to be. Don't get me wrong I would have taken all these difficult goodbyes over a world wide pandemic any day- but it did save me from a few heartbreaks. It's all about looking on the positive side of a dark situation. The Provost of WVU said her speech yesterday morning that the biggest lesson we can all learn from this is that life is unexpected and boy was this unexpected.
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