Emily is waiting to hear from three more schools. It is March 29th, and these schools notify by April 1st. So, the story will be told in a few short days. It’s hard to think what the ending might be. God knows we have been surprised by a few chapters along the way.
Some of my friends with older kids have been saying all along, “Don’t worry. It all works out. They all end up where they are meant to be.” While one might be tempted to the comfort of this notion, I certainly have the knee-jerk reaction of “hogwash!” Life does not always work out the way we want or even need.
Emily was rejected by her first choice college in the early decision round. It was a tough blow, and really took the wind out of her sails. I think she lost a little of her spirit to that hit. But she has persevered, and made it to the end of her senior year, enthusiasm for next steps intact. Honestly, I have never been so proud of her as I am right now. She is managing some pretty big decisions with grace and maturity, and my husband and I marvel that she has developed the necessary skills we may have forgotten to teach her in the past 18 years.
She has, so far, received five acceptances, two rejections, and one wait-list; with three letters still to come. She is so ready to be finished. As she talks about where she will go in the fall, I can hear her growing up. Her words are fresh and green. She lists the pros and cons of some of her different options, and is allowing herself to get excited. One school in particular has really recruited her. She was invited to participate in a weekend-long interview for a leadership program at the school, and has been offered a significant scholarship. Well, everyone likes to be loved, and she’s no exception. I guess we’ll see soon if the academic flowers and chocolates were enough to win her heart.
I miss her already. I know she’s going to leave in just a few short months. And I know we’ll all be fine. She’ll come home for holidays, and maybe a summer or two. She’ll have a great college experience, and hopefully figure out what she wants to do for the next few years of her life. I worry about whether she’ll be safe, whether she’ll eat right, whether she’ll take advantage of cool, new opportunities. But for Emily, I guess I’m not too worried about the specific destination, the campus or city. Because for Emily, I believe that wherever she is is where she is meant to be.
