Graduation in a week & taking the road less traveled

I can see the photo perfectly: my two girlfriends and I in our cream and crimson caps and gowns, huge smiles plastered on our faces, our new Alma Mater's signature fountain or arched gates in the background and off camera our smiling families taking pictures. For years I have imagined the way my graduation would be and now this abstract idea is becoming a reality in less than a week but the fantasy I envisioned and the reality I'm living are proving to be very different as I have chosen to take the road less traveled..

I don't want to say the words aloud for fear that it might happen, but my family might choose to stay at home on the biggest day of my college career. There is a disparity between how I define graduation and how my parents do--I see it as the culmination of an education and the celebration of memories; while my family sees it as the celebration to a new beginning and chapter in life. As I have mentioned in previous posts, my new beginning is non-traditional as I am choosing to take the road less traveled, grab my passport and fly to Paris for a post-grad trip.

For weeks the topic has dragged on in every form: e-mails, text messages and calls, as an avalanche of protests, opposition and warnings have rained down upon me for my decision to travel. At a time of year where families draw closer together, mine has spread alarmingly apart and all because I have brushed off the path most traveled in lieu of forming my own.

I've asked myself whether its selfish to stand by my decision at the expense of my family's satisfaction. I imagine what it would be like if I gave in to their arguments and let go of my plan. I could picture it perfectly: I would cancel my trip, my family would triumphantly bask in the glory of my 'right' decision and 'maturity' and I would be miserable. Having an abrupt change of plan and no job lined up, I would most likely be forced to go home with my tail between my legs and wake up each morning with regret imagining what I could have been waking up to.

So let me say this: In life your decisions will not always be supported by the people around you; this doesn't make them adversaries or cruel but rather shows their love through their concern. It is no secret that in major life choices opposition will reel its ugly head and it in those moments should you still stand by your choice, then you know it is right for you. It's not easy to take the road less traveled just like it is not easy to hear my family decide against attending next weekend's graduation. I have no idea how this week will unfold and who will be there to congratulate me on December 18th but I do know that I will have that picture of me and my girlfriends posing in our caps and gowns because graduation is a celebration and whether supported or not every graduate should be proud of what they've accomplished and where they will go.

Congratulations Class of 2010!


--The Post-Grad