Commencement

It's a word that means a beginning. Doesn't that make sense, that the end of one thing is the beginning of another? We're like plants being repotted, after the roots have deepened so much that the plant is not able to grow further. (I'm trying out the gardening metaphors in preparation for August.) And the interesting thing about uprooting is the perspective it grants, because it allows you to discover what you've taken away from the experience. Once the surface circumstances are changed, the deeper changes are more evident.

I think we've all changed tremendously. I think all of our friendship and love for each other has shaped us. I know for myself, comparing freshman Matt to senior Matt, that you have all allowed me to spread my (goofy) wings. I have a tremendous self-confidence because when I stretched myself, you encouraged me. I remember seeing that I was cast as Luigi for Next Act last February and feeling very anxious about it. But Issel told me that I had a good singing voice, Juny told me that I had good presence on stage, Rob told me that I was actually funny, and Vince—well, Vince was pretty quiet during rehearsals.

Enough. More to come. For now, remember that change is a good thing. When we settle, we stagnate.

But I will say this: as I was unpacking last night, I found the Luigi eyepatch. The house was silent; everyone was sleeping. And right then, I knew that I'll never have as much fun as I did these past four years with all of you. I very much mean that. Maybe there will be better times, more fulfilling times, like when we see our children climb into the schoolbus for the first time, when we get married and place the ring on our spouse's finger. But more fun? I can't imagine that would be the case.

When does a person change from a child into an adult, from carefree into careworn, when the goofy is replaced by the settled attitude? I think it's about to happen for us, when the working world wears us down, when mortgages and car payments make us sigh, when we suddenly realize that it's our life, and that we're alone in that, even when we're lying next to someone we love in the morning.

Promise me this, that each of you will do whatever it takes to keep your spirit alive. Even when that choice requires abandoning the safe things. It's terrifying to walk on the tightrope, but remember that you have a safety net, woven with the threads of family and friends. If you ever need anything at all from me, just ask.

We're not going to completely slip apart if we make the effort to remain in touch. All of you have been the best friends I've ever had. If we let that completely disappear, we ought to be ashamed of ourselves.

Breathe in the air of these new days.