Congratulations, we’re proud of you

JEROME WASSMANN
The Daily Mountain Eagle
Published May 13, 2007 1:26 AM CDT

Graduation is just around the corner for city and county high schools and some graduations have already taken place, like at the Bevill State campuses here in Jasper and Sumiton. In fact, I believe that a couple of nursing classes held pinning ceremonies a week or more ago. Decision time is fast approaching for those who will be graduating from high school. Most decisions have probably already been made for those who are planning on going into the work-a-day world or perhaps into the military. And those who are pursuing college degrees have already made applications to those colleges or universities that they have dreamed of attending or that have offered them very nice scholarships with all hoping they will be accepted.

It is another step in the growing up process and with it comes concerns not only from the student going off to college and being away from home for the first time, at least on what could be viewed as an extended leave, but the parents as well. We all want our sons or daughters to have a wonderful college experience, but we know too, they will run into many temptations and challenges and we all hope and pray we have instilled the right values in them that when decision time comes they will make the right one. However, this first independence is also part of the growing up experience and is an exciting and wonderful time in their lives.

Many of us handle our children no longer being under our supervision and roof quite well, however, others find it to be more difficult. We go through a time of adjusting to what many term the “empty nest syndrome.” But that is also a learning experience for us as parents.

I know when my daughter went off to college I was as excited as she was, but her mother was having to deal with the empty nest situation, so she was not quite as excited.

The time spent with dorm roommates and sorority sisters was a most enjoyable time for her and I know one that she will cherish for life. The friendships she made while living on campus was all part of the college experience and was a maturing time in her life. I know when she was getting ready to nail everything down for her freshman year she asked my advice on living on campus even though it would have been more economical to live at home. I told her to go for it. The friendships she would make during dorm life and time in the sorority house would be priceless. I’m sure she thinks about those friendships quite often and is glad she made the decision to live on campus.

We wish all of the graduates much success as they take this important step in life. And we encourage them to always do their best, always keep in mind they are there for an education, enjoy their freedom but be responsible in all they do. Your parents have sacrificed greatly for you to have this opportunity, so make them proud of you as you begin this new chapter in your life.

Parents, I encourage you to encourage them. Support them in every way you can, be there when they need you but don’t smother them, they need their space, take pride in their accomplishments and encourage them when they fail and always let them know how much you love them. This is a time of maturing for them, but it is also a time of maturing for you as parents, as you watch that son or daughter, or both, become all you could hope and wish for them.

Take pride in knowing that you played a very important part in the success that they attain.

Jerome Wassmann is editor and publisher of the Daily Mountain Eagle.