LIFE: Cap and Gown Reflections

I am sitting in my graduation from Drexel University similar to the way that I conduct myself during most ceremonies…texting nonsense to family members and cracking jokes with my fellow graduates seated around me. I decide to pay attention to the commencement for a second. They were about to present an award to a high school teacher who made an impact on a graduate's life. First thought that came to mind…Bullshit

I’m sure this teacher worked him hard and taught the kid a few study habits, but growing as a person is so much deeper than that. I sat back in my chair, stopped texting for a bit and began to reflect on the moments in my life that helped me to get to this moment in my cap and gown.

My family was key. Not just because they fed me, took me to Disney on Ice and copped me the latest Barkley jersey. They were key because they really had my best interest at heart. They could have sent me to public school and spent the money they saved on Heavy D concert tickets. Instead they realized the importance of me receiving a quality education. For the life of me I couldn’t understand why they wouldn’t let me hang out with certain people. Did they not want me to be cool? Not at all. They just saw my potential before I knew what the word meant. When I see guys that I knew as a child wheelchair bound from violence or stealing recyclables to feed their drug habits, I thank my family for screening my friends.

What people fail to realize is that it isn’t always the positive Hallmark memories that shape who you are. As much as I cherish the memories of getting two Iverson rookie jerseys for $100 with Corey or getting into the wildest situations with Dos or Chris; I value the sense of hopelessness I felt when the doctor told me that my Dad wasn’t going to make it out of the hospital. I can appreciate the anger that I felt when a cop told me and my friends, “Move and I’ll blow your fuckin’ heads off.” Sure these last two examples are far from being as pleasant as the first two, but the key is that I made it through. No matter what difficult issues arise throughout the rest of my life, reflecting on these events lets me know that I will be able to make it through.

As I conclude my personal reflection, I glance back up at the 22 year old graduate embracing his high school teacher as if he was Jesus and had just saved the party by turning water into Bacardi Razz.

Maybe if he would have had the same reflection I just had he would have given the teacher a simple hand shake and kept it moving. Perhaps we all need to remember those days and think about who and what events have been the TRUE reasons behind our current success.