Chapter 13…or Better Known as Turning the Page to College Life

I hadn’t really got emotional about the whirlwind of senior year ….until today. On my mind, it’s always been the excitement of celebrating this big milestone and the accomplishments of the past 18 years. Celebrating who Judd has become, the obstacles he has jumped over, even  jumping them after stumbling, discovering who he wants to be & ultimately what he values in life. With that, I know he is still growing and learning, and as most of us now that prefrontal cortex is still developing, especially as a boy. However, today I also was slammed with a realization that he is about to step into this world on his own. Of course we will always be here to guide him and love him along the way, but the emotions of  today, although good ones of course, I was not prepared for! I wasn’t sure what my intentions were when I started, and sometimes I just let my thoughts take over into print. If my ADHD is too much for you, now would be a good stopping point in your reading.

There are so many things that crossed my mind on today’s journey into acquainting ourselves with the campus, seeking out apartments and just trying to figure out the preplanning for the next few months to get things set for a year from now. Already a list maker, I instantly begin jotting down the to dos and need to buys without hesitation. But there was so much more to todays visit.

The heaviest thought on my heart is how overlooked & talented some of our kiddos are. Please know I mean no stabs or jabs in this statement but sitting in the welcoming adressment & looking around at the incoming students and families, I thought “none of us here know each other’s stories. Nobody here knows if someone is a potential D1 athlete, a survivor of an abusive household, juggling the emotions of grief for the first time, someone breaking a generational addiction, a first generation college student for their family…” I thought about how often the students in daily classrooms are also overlooked…the hidden talents or the potential that hasn’t been recognized yet…..but yet as Judd’s mom, I know he is so talented. He isn’t highlighted as Athlete as the Week or even known to put his commitment in athletics or academics but he puts all that and more into so many other places. Places his teachers and sometimes friends don’t even know about. I’m not saying these things (like athletics, extra curricular & academics) aren’t important & I’m not saying high school isn’t either, it’s all a stepping stone just like any experience in life to get to where we are supposed to be. However, if you were to ask any of my teachers from elementary to high school if they thought I would have the degrees I have & be where I am now, I can confidently say they would tell you ,”No”.

I know I wasn’t asked to give a speech today as we were so enthusiasticly welcomed but if I could I would and/or could have I hugged each family and spoken from my heart I would say with every ounce of my being to not only the students but the families & friends,”Find joy in life in everything that you do. Find it in who you are. Find it in your beliefs & your values. Find it in your family you create. Find it in your friend circle. Find it in your hobbies. Find it in your career. Find it in EVERY. DAY. LIFE. And if it doesn’t fit the box of the world- live outside the box because what the world isn’t telling you is the stars in the sky have the same joy as the waves in the ocean. It’s the mold breakers of the world that leave the biggest impact. And as you grow & change you’re allowed to pivot. If life leads you living behind the scenes & not on an election ballot, on the big screen, scoring big for the championship team or even a CEO of a leading industry- you’re still seen because it’s the small business owners, the quiet guys, and all the others in between helping the world spin and making a difference in the world as well. You don’t have to meet the expectations of everyone else as long as you meet the expectations for yourself & never settle for mediocrity.”

Those of you behind the scenes- I see you ❤️.

Because there is so much joy when you find peace in the quiet of the world.

As Judd finishes writing chapter 12 and starts 13 into a whole new life; I hope he never conforms to the expectations of others but keeps being his genuine quirky self…..a star that doesn’t fit in any constellation. ⭐️