My dear Amelia:
It is hard to get my arms around the fact that you will be a college graduate in a few short weeks. As I understand, you might share that sentiment. Graduation weekend is going to be a blur, so I thought I’d get my two cents in early. The added advantage is I will be less likely to want to make a speech.
I remember the Saturday afternoon when you got your first college acceptance. You screamed like you’d won the lottery. It was real; you were going to college!
I remember how excited you were when you told me you had decided on attending the University of South Carolina. I imagine since that USC is pretty happy with your decision.
If you listen to the news, now does not appear to be the indefectible time to take flight into the real world. Hey, if I were in college and looking out at the world, they’d have to send the SWAT team to get me out, if for no other reason than football weekends.
Here’s a little secret between us. The world is not as cold and forbidding as it looks from the college classroom. There are certainly some places that are, as you say, sketchy. But this is a pretty remarkable world you’re stepping into.
That iPhone tucked in your designer purse is a more powerful computing and communication device than the first family PC your mom bought around 1998. Remember that old box? Remember dial-up Internet access? Remember when you needed a college e-mail address to have a Facebook account?
I don’t know about you, but this is mighty tall cotton for a guy who grew up with a rotary telephone (Google it), three channels on a TV with rabbit ears (Google it) and trips to the library because we didn’t have Google. That GPS is a pretty sweet little doodad, too.
A lot of people may be asking what you’re going to do with your life. That’s a fairly dreadful question to ask anyone. It assumes you are required to plot a course and stick to it. Twaddle!
I have lost count of the number of highly successful people I know who have found happiness in a career they never could have dreamed of when they were leaving college. A college degree in a specific area is not an iron shackle hammered around your ankle.
Thomas Wolfe was wrong. You can come home again. Between visits, call. A letter would make my day.
I’ve got your back. No matter what. Always will.
You may be wondering if you are ready for the real world. I’m wondering if the real world is ready for you.
We’ll see you in May, and I promise not to wear the plaid sports jacket.
I love you so much.
Jim Osterman lives in Sandy Springs. Reach him at jimosterman@rocketmail.com
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