LIFE LESSONS IN RESILIENCE - PART 1
As our youngest daughter began her junior year of high school, our conversations often revolved around potential universities and how she could make the most of the year to achieve her goals. We were familiar with this process, having just gone through it with our oldest child, who was then attending university. However, Andrea's trajectory took an unexpected turn when a series of health issues led to multiple surgeries, casting doubt on her ability to attend and leave home for college. This period was incredibly challenging for our family, especially for Andrea. To make matters worse, the arrival of COVID-19 disrupted her senior year, depriving her and her peers of many anticipated milestones.
Come the end of her senior year, times were incredibly challenging. COVID-19 robbed her of experiences like prom and graduation, and she also had to hear her close friends excitedly share which universities they would attend in the fall. Her medical condition and missed school days over the past two years meant she didn't have the grades for her university of choice. Additionally, the fear of needing medical support far from home prevented her from moving away. Despite her genuine happiness for her friends, it was devastating for Andrea to feel left behind. As parents, it was excruciating to witness her disappointment and sadness as she often questioned why this happened to her. It was truly heartbreaking.
After allowing Andrea to mourn her situation, we focused on helping her see the choices she still had. We encouraged her to attend a junior college for the next two years to improve her grades and transfer to a four-year university. This was far from simple; Andrea grappled with heavy emotions and loneliness as her close friends shared their wonderful college experiences. She had to learn to compartmentalize her feelings, support her friends, and shed any "poor me" mentality. Despite these challenges, Andrea showed remarkable resilience. While enrolled in junior college, she found a part-time job, made new friends, and began to make the best of her circumstances. Most importantly, she was diligent about academics, earning straight As and completing all the courses needed to transfer to a university. Her perseverance turned a difficult situation into an opportunity for growth and success.
Andrea carefully narrowed down her top choices for a transfer. After visiting the University of Alabama, she came home beaming with a sense of belonging, declaring, "This is the university where I am destined to attend." We were thrilled for her and committed to supporting her in every way possible. However, one significant hurdle remained—paying for out-of-state tuition. Despite our long-term savings for her college fund, it wasn't enough to cover the high costs. Andrea's determination and resilience shone brightly as she took it upon herself to find a solution. She diligently researched scholarship opportunities and applied to as many as she could find. The waiting period for responses was agonizing, but she remained optimistic throughout. I will never forget the day she shared the incredible news with us: she had received nearly $60,000 in scholarships. Andrea's perseverance and hard work paid off, allowing her to achieve her dream of attending the University of Alabama.
Less than a month ago, we celebrated Andrea graduating magna cum laude from the University of Alabama! I can honestly say that she lived the best years of her life while attending Alabama. She met incredible friends, traveled to many beautiful places, and fully embraced university life. Of course, there is nothing like Alabama football games!
We watched as Andrea came to a fork in the road and chose between blaming life for circumstances beyond her control and playing the victim, or persevering and making the best out of what she had been dealt. She chose the latter, demonstrating true resilience. She accepted her challenges and turned them into opportunities for growth. This is what resilience is all about: making choices and thriving despite obstacles. To say we are proud of our daughter is truly an understatement.
JC
Husband | Father | Founder at myTOD