Little Miss Magic

It was an early summer afternoon four years ago when we proudly watched you walk across the MHS football field near where you cheered on the varsity team for four years, while we cheered along with you from the home team stands.  Each fall season marked another year of triumphs and disappointments, of moments of promise and potential, not only for the boy’s football team, but for our favorite daughter!

Suddenly four years went by in a New York minute and your life’s journey led you away from us, your friends and family to a place 35 minutes from Moorestown, a place where Route 295 north crazily turns into Route 95 south at Exit 7A – Rider University, Lawrenceville, New Jersey and more specifically a place named Kroner Hall.

We moved you into Kroner your freshman fall semester, met Stefanie and over that first year many of your dorm hall friends; Al, Mary, Christy and Meagan.   We or you did not know it at the time, but this group of like-minded young women would soon become your best friends and support system, while mom and dad, now almost “Empty Nesters” received updates via your text messages, emails and facebook posts. 

By the middle of your sophomore year, our frequent trips to Rider were replaced by cards and care packages sending you goodies and well wishes from afar.  The transition for the student and the parents was beginning to take shape.  Another year quickly passed and we moved you into the ZTA sorority house.  We met your Big and Littles, who along with the rest of your ZTA sisterhood had now become your “family”.

Just ten weeks ago, we drove you to JFK airport, watching with joy as you, Mary and Al embarked on your study broad student teaching assignment in Barcelona, Spain.  Since then we have followed your progress online back here in the States, anxiously awaiting your safe return to Moorestown, New Jersey.

However, beyond all the scholastic, sorority and educational achievements you’ve attained (and there have been many), we are most proud of the young woman you’ve become, both inside and out.  

In the year 2014, this big beautiful technologically driven world still offers great promise and potential to all those who exhibit the drive and passion for what they believe in.  Never lose track of “Your Dream”, not someone else’s idea of who you should be, what you should do, etc......

However, keep in mind, this world can be equally cold, hard, and unforgiving to even those filled with the best intentions and desires.  So when you face times of frustration and resistance (and you will), always recall the advice John Cusack’s character imparted to his adopted son in the movie, Martian Child,  “Never, never, never, never, ever, ever, ever give up”.  Okay, maybe he was quoting some British chap named Winston Churchill, but I think you get the point.  
Never let The World rob you of that unique “spirit” which makes you special and defines your place in the universe.

Try not to get too high when times are “sweet” or too low when times “suck”.  You will undoubtedly face many of these moments and cycles in the years to come.  Continue to work hard and play hard, and remember the “hard” is what makes it (the success, the accomplishment, attaining the goal) great! 

Attack each problem and challenge you face with everything you’ve got.  The world and the people in it at times may let you down, never let yourself down or regret that you could have done more, done something smarter, done something different, etc....

Use your God given talents, “learned” experiences, compassion and empathy to teach, instruct and mold the next generation of great thinkers, motivators and doers.   Unlike your mom and I who work for large nameless faceless corporations, you have chosen a career path where you will directly impact human beings.  With this noble pursuit comes a huge and important societal responsibility.  You got this!    

Above all, make the time and take the time to enjoy this life you are creating for yourself and the ones you love the most.   Contrary to popular belief and unlike the games you and your childhood friends played at UES and WAMS, there are no “Do Overs” in life.

Your next chapters remain unwritten.  The time has come for you to begin writing your story.  Your story.

Have fun and smile, be kind and love, give more than you take.  It really is as simple and as hard as that.

We love you more than life itself!

Not just on this day, but every day.  Today, we just get to call our only daughter a College Graduate!

Love and support always,

Mom and Dad
xoxoxo

 

I see a little more of me every day
I catch a little more (hair) turning gray
Your mother is the only other woman for me
Little miss magic, what you gonna be?

Just can’t wait to see….

“Little Miss Magic” ~ Jimmy Buffett