Graduation / The Good Old Days

I've been thinking a lot about the Class of 2020. So many people have had their lives seriously impacted by this pandemic, and so many events have been canceled or pushed back in the name of public safety. My heart truly goes out to the seniors who had looked forward to the excitement and bewilderment that is spring semester senior year, only to have the rug pulled out from under them.

Those thoughts have only been amplified this past week, as the anniversary of my college graduation from JMU has led to frequent "on this day" photos of me in a cap and gown popping up in my feed.

It's been making me think, especially, about how often we take for granted good times while we're in them. I know The Office is vastly over-quoted, and this is likely the only time I'll reference it on this blog, but it makes me think of the quote from the final season: "I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them."

A part of me knew I was in the 'good old days' my senior spring, but I still feel like I didn't take as many opportunities as I could have to soak it all up. It also makes me wonder — how often are we in "the good old days?" How many times of our lives don't feel monumental at the moment because they don't mark some big change, but are home to some of our future favorite memories? While it's hard to imagine anything involving the pandemic will make it into that roster, it makes me curious. When I look back at my life in five years, what will stand out as "the good old days" since my graduation?

I hope I can tell a little while I'm in those days, and enjoy them while they're around.

And my hope to graduating seniors is they take the time to reflect on all the good things about their college experience, remembering that the "good old days" aren't just the ones near the diploma — they can be any time.

Take time to remember your past selves, acknowledging the peaks and valleys along the way. But then be present in the new moments as they come, because you never know what you'll look back on and miss.