Don't Cry Because It's Over; Smile Because It Happened

My daughter is graduating from college this week. Specifically, from the Education School at the University of Texas in Austin. She called the other day and with a shaky, sad voice, shared how bittersweet it all is. I couldn’t agree more.

The months of May and June represent a time for beginnings and endings.

Weddings

Graduations – elementary, middle, high school and college

Mother and Father’s Day get togethers may remind us of those who are no longer with us.

We shift into summer-mode and shed work and academia behind. Even when we are no longer in school, that familiar schedule seems to stick with us. And then we move through it once more with kids of our own.

Transitions can be tricky – the joy, excitement, fear of the future, and nostalgia for the past all make for quite a mix of emotions. That’s why I love this quote!!

DON'T CRY BECAUSE IT'S OVER; SMILE BECAUSE IT HAPPENED

It’s said to be a Dr. Seuss quote - I saw it posted on the wall of my sister-in-law’s cabin up at the sleep away camp where she works. It stuck with me as I am always a big, sloppy, sentimental mess over endings – and this quote rerouted my perception of things.

You see, I’d wrongly focused on the endings, the negatives, what I was leaving behind and saying goodbye to. After seeing this, I realized that wow, in the midst of life’s passages, there were so many moments I had been blessed to share. What if they had never even happened?

This is why, when Molly called to tell me about the bittersweet nature of her college years ending, I knew it was a good thing. Her emotions tell me she has grown, learned, loved and experienced joy as well as struggles; that she has come to value both the ups and the downs.

I will smile the hugest smile as I watch her get that degree and go on to teach America’s children. And despite the advice of the quote, I will still bawl my eyes out.

Here’s to all of us who are celebrating an ending and a beginning. May you laugh and cry, all at once, for the beauty of what life has brought to you.