Our COVID graduation

I have always loved the word “commencement” to describe the graduation milestone. As the hard work, struggle, and lessons of formal schooling end, graduates commence their next chapters. We celebrate their achievements, sure—but also the openness, opportunity, and promise of the future.

It is difficult to disconnect these concepts. Feelings of readiness and expectation are tied to feelings of relief and completion. There may also be, just under the graduation caps, significant uncertainty around what comes next and how to be.

Last night, I walked past the Charlottesville High School graffiti wall and noticed that seniors are signing off. As I took in their art, it struck me that we’re all graduating this spring—from COVID College. Pandemic University. The Institute of Isolation.

Our COVID commencement will be bittersweet, laden as it is will grief, mistrust, and concern. Some of us are ready to don the regalia; others need more time. Like many seniors, we may not know where to go or what to do next. Also in the mix: over-confidence, naïveté, and ignorance. A lot of us are biting nails as we wait for final grades…will we actually pull it off?

That’s all real.

There will also be joy, excitement, anticipation, dancing, play, and parties. We will celebrate newness, life, possibility, and hope. And—oh!—the reunions. There will be So. Many. Reunions.

That’s real too.

Friends, may your commencement honor this complexity, your struggles, and your well-deserved joy. We’re a little wiser now.

Let’s begin.