5 Years Down the Road

I remember sitting in my room, graduation night, feeling completely empty. My family had left and the celebrations were over. It was like I had no direction and the only thing I’ve known for 4 years was done with.

What I didn’t know is what I had ahead of me.

As I went through this weekend, reliving my graduation from Providence College, I thought about what I learned at PC and how it has helped me through the past 5 years.

So really, this post is for my sister, who could use a little guidance now, I’m sure.

Providence, I knew, was a special place. I knew that from the first time I stepped on campus in 2000 to visit. What I didn’t know was that I would still think of PC and the experiences I had there almost every day. And that when I heard about other people’s experiences in college, I would be extra grateful for my time there.

PC is a place to call home. A place where the community was like no where else. In the future, Chris, when you return, you will step on campus and although things look different, the feeling and memories in your heart are the same.

Really, when you go into college, you have no idea who you are and when you come out, you have a little bit of a better picture. If you’re lucky, you will be blessed with people who surrounded you to help you along the way. Over the years you were sure to fall and get back up, learning a little bit about yourself each step of the way.

So sister, don’t cry because your time there is over, look forward to all that is ahead of you in the world. Providence has prepared you to say thank you everyday, love, give yourself to others and most importantly, live a meaningful life. While you don’t know what the future holds for you now, know that you have a strong foundation to stand on and you can take on anything you choose. From here you will continue to learn who you are and what role you will play. One thing is for sure, you will make a difference. Just as John O’Hurley told you, I will tell you too. You will go on to do great things, there is no doubt about that.

Chris, remember the important role that PC played in your life. Remember the lessons you learned there and the people who shaped you. And most importantly, remember to live an extraordinary life.

“As I watch the slow parade of boats pass before me at sunset on this never-ending river, I am reminded of how lucky I was to have docked at your port-of-call for as long as I did, how sad I am to set sail again, but grateful that, for me, the horizon is still out of reach. I wish you all, extraordinary lives.” John O’Hurley PC Graduation 2006

Tagged as: college, john ohurley, life, sister