Four or five years ago, I received a letter and in a ways was set out to sea. My boat were my thoughts and skills picked up in all my time on this earth, and I was  promised adventures and challenges in the years ahead. I am sure that my mother, the author of a letter to me on high school graduation day, remembers its contents just as well as I do.

If I may indulge in the metaphor of setting out to sea, college can be described in brief as a perilous ocean. Each of us starts with boats or ships of our own, with only the crews on shore or in the waves with us to guide us. We have the lighthouses of our faith (in God, in people, in our own skills, your discretion as to which comes first) and that’s about it. The seas of my college years tossed and turned and waterlogged my own ship, and at times I felt stranded and alone. 

But this was never the case. There were always words- letters, calls, messages from home pushing me onwards. Sometimes it was that push that kept me going past projects and assignments.

My mom (and you too, dad) have been behind what I wanted to do with my career from day one. They took seriously my intentions to pursue international affairs and did all they could that I was the best student in this field that I could be. Though this journey of mine continues, we are at a point where their support is beyond invaluable to me.

If college is sailing a swath of new seas, then graduation is returning to port, if just for a bit, and returning the letters you’ve received over the years. I have that letter from high school on my bookshelf still, and I know what I’ll be reading first thing when I arrive home.

calliecucumber:

Also can I just say that I really appreciate that after singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the 7th inning stretch, Nationals Park plays “Take On Me”? It’s way more fun than the stupid “God Bless America” that so many other places do.

It was more fun last year, IMO, since Take on Me was the walk up song of one of our outfielders. He has gone west to the Mariners, though, and taken the magic of it with him :C 2012 was a magical year

GBA is usually used if they have a military guest/performer in. I have seen some dudes wreck that song tho