I sat down today to write a congratulatory note to our daughter Mollie who, in just a little more than one week, will be graduating from college. The front of the card reads “Follow Your Dreams…Wherever They May Lead.” And, on the inside, was a blank space that I struggled with finding the right words to fill. How on earth do I tell her how proud we are and how much we hope for her future in one tiny little card?
As her mother, I’m not very objective but I know that Mollie has been a learner since the day she was born. As soon as she had the ability, she sought knowledge and always challenged herself to learn about her world. She valued education in a way that, to be very honest, I never did at here age. Getting "good enough" grades came easily to me. I did what had to be done but never went the extra mile. I rarely studied and, as long as I’m sharing my dark secrets, I skipped my fair share of classes in college. I was happy to muster a “B” and never really strived for more.
That was never the case though with Mollie. She could have easily walked through her entire education much as I had – without ever applying any real energy. But that wouldn’t have been good enough for her. Instead, she always gave every ounce of energy she had to doing the best job possible in school. She was academic from the beginning – at the top of her class and easily managing the most difficult of courses. When it came time for her to choose a college, she took the selection very seriously looking at a number of schools, filling out applications, and pursuing scholarship opportunities. But there was never any real question about where she dreamed of continuing her education. St. Olaf was the first school she visited on a gorgeous Fall day – the leaves were falling, the sun was shining off the copper roofs of the old buildings, the campus grounds were filled with students who valued and loved education...kids that were just like Mollie. She worked hard to earn admission and has continued to work hard since to help fund her education, and more importantly, to continue to earn her place among St Olaf’s student body each and every day. It has been her true home for four years and now, with her graduation, she will leave her home to discover whatever is next.
That was never the case though with Mollie. She could have easily walked through her entire education much as I had – without ever applying any real energy. But that wouldn’t have been good enough for her. Instead, she always gave every ounce of energy she had to doing the best job possible in school. She was academic from the beginning – at the top of her class and easily managing the most difficult of courses. When it came time for her to choose a college, she took the selection very seriously looking at a number of schools, filling out applications, and pursuing scholarship opportunities. But there was never any real question about where she dreamed of continuing her education. St. Olaf was the first school she visited on a gorgeous Fall day – the leaves were falling, the sun was shining off the copper roofs of the old buildings, the campus grounds were filled with students who valued and loved education...kids that were just like Mollie. She worked hard to earn admission and has continued to work hard since to help fund her education, and more importantly, to continue to earn her place among St Olaf’s student body each and every day. It has been her true home for four years and now, with her graduation, she will leave her home to discover whatever is next.
In some ways, I envy her for this opportunity and in other ways, I’m so glad to not be in her position. She now has to make her way in the world finding her own path and while that can be incredibly exciting, it can also be very unsettling. None of us likes uncertainty and I think we all find comfort in “knowing” (as much as we can trust anyway) what our tomorrow is going to bring. I’m sure Mollie has these same fears but I’m also certain, more certain than I am of anything else in this world, that she will forge a path that leads into her future much as she has followed her own path up until this point. Armed now with an education and her passion for the world, she will follow her dreams.
So, these are the words that I’ll share with her in this card…
“There are no words that I could fit into this tiny card that would truly tell you how very proud we are of you and how very honored we are to be your parents. You have been learning since the day you were born, but what I didn’t realize at that time, was that education would be your passion. You have dedicated yourself to improving your mind and the world around you and I know that you are going to do amazing things with your future. Every opportunity is in front of you now and you are prepared to meet opportunity with grace, enthusiasm, and passion. We love you and wish you happiness and success for all your days. Mom and Dad”
Mollie, follow your dreams...wherever they may lead. And remember to enjoy all the moments along the way.
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