I AM SORRY
that your last semester was unexpectedly taken from you. I am sorry that you didn't get to say goodbye to what you have known for the past couple of years and more importantly to those you did life with for so long. I am sorry that you didn't get to compete in what could have possibly been your last athletic event or take a final bow in your dramatic/musical performance. I am sorry that you didn't get to enjoy what is meant to be one of the best times of your life. I am sorry that your proms were canceled, your graduations have been canceled and/or changed so drastically that it won't feel traditional at all. I am sorry that people are telling you to get over it and that it's not that big of a deal. I am sorry that you keep hearing things like, well it could be worse and at least you don't have to go to war.
I am sorry that you are about to enter into the next chapter of your life without being able to close this chapter in the way you wanted to end it.
YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT
to feel all sorts of emotion including things like anger, sadness, jealousy, grief, confusion, frustration, and so much more. You have every right to shed tears over missed graduation parties and proms. You have every right to grieve school and the socializing that was just taken from you. You have every right to feel like you got the short end of the stick and that life isn't fair.
You have every right to process this season without having it all together or without having a smile on your face every day.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
I know this year did not end the way you thought it was going to, and that really stinks. However, I want to encourage you to not let this disappointment define you, but allow it to refine you. This year 2020 is going to be a year to remember for generations to come and may even go into the history books. The amazing thing is, that your class is the one that gets to be the storytellers of how you overcame and worked through the mass disappointment and how it helped create the person you are. Use this season to process and work through the loss and what was unexpectantly taken from you, because you will need to be ready to fully embrace what is for you in the next season.
You will not be able to recieve whats next if you're holding on tightly to what was.
I need you to believe and say this over yourselves class of 2020; you are a bold, creative, strong and empowering class so don't let anyone else tell you differently.
Until Next Time
Stasia B