A Year in the City: graduation day!

I usually end posts with a quote, but the only way I could think to start this one is with the following quote:

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." - A.A. Milne

This quote has been true a few times in my life and I believe it to be so true about City Year. I am so lucky to have had such an incredible experience, but it is because it was so incredible that it makes saying goodbye to it all so hard.

Graduation day started at nine and didn't stop until the wee hours of the next morning. Lucky for me, I got a good night sleep the day before. I actually was kind of aggravated that morning because we had to go in at nine for a reflection activity. We had spent the last two weeks reflecting and I was all cried out. I wanted graduation day to be fun and happy. Reflection for me usually means me crying and that's not what I wanted. Despite this, I put on a smile and headed to HQ for another hour of reflection. City Year is really good at catching you off guard, which was just the case that morning. We had a reflection activity that was meaningful, sentimental, and thankful....and yes, I cried.

We all met in the Civic Forum and Nicole Yongue wrapped up our year. We then began our activity. Everyone got ten beads and some string. We were to give the ten beads to someone who we wanted to appreciate for what they've done this year. I obviously gave them to my team, but I also gave one to Matt because without him, I probably wouldn't have survived February. My team carried me through thick and thin. Chelsea gave one to me and I gave one to her, but I don't think I would have given her one if she hadn't. Oh well. I was trying to make it through the whole day without crying, but this activity got me.

After the activity, we had to go fill out exit paperwork and do our time sheets. Once everyone was done, we all went to lunch at b.good for one last time. Sam's parents came and my mom joined us once she got there. It was a blast. We all headed out to graduation, but not before making sure to buy our T pass for the ride home (we were turning our official City Year/Public Official T passes in at graduation).

The rehearsal of how to walk in and out paid off and we marched in without a hitch. Music was blaring and it was a very upbeat vibe. Charlie Rose gave a great introduction and London and Patrick, two corps members chosen to emcee, were great. The only flaw in the ceremony was the keynote speaker. We sat and listened to this lady give a very morbid graduation speech about her time working with African refugees. What could of been a very uplifting and motivating speech about pushing through hardships and always remaining positive through thick and thin turned out to be this message about how you can make plans, but those plans will change. It is probably a very true statement, but not quite the tone for a graduation speech. Oh well. The rest of the ceremony was great. Several awards were given out to individuals and to one team for their impact this year. I was truly impressed.

Afterwards, there was a little reception which was nice, but we didn't stay long. Mom and I headed back to my apartment so I could get changed. She had to be at the airport by seven thirty and I was going to Erica's that night, so there wasn't a lot of time to dilly dally. We quickly changed at my house and headed out.

A major shoutout to my mom for coming. I had leave early Friday morning and she couldn't really come until Thursday morning, but that didn't stop her from being at my graduation. I don't think either of my parents quite understood (or still understand) what City Year is, but that has never stopped them from supporting me. My mom pushed through delayed flights and early mornings to be there and then turned around and flew right back home. It meant the world to me to have her there, even if it was only for a day.

Anyways, I can't believe it's all over. I'm going to post a more reflective post about my year of service later, but this was the gist of everything on graduation day. We went out later and celebrated, which was a ton of fun, especially because Erica was allowed to join us. It was a great day filled with lots of fun and not a lot of tears (thank goodness!).

I think there are three words that I could use to sum up this post.

I am thankful.