Anticipation has long been a beautiful hum in my heart for good things to come. Anticipation for summer vacation. Anticipation for holiday festivities and celebration. Anticipation for a reunion with friends. And for my entire high school experience, anticipation for my final semester at Orange Lutheran and transition into college life. I was eagerly anticipating hanging out with friends, going to all the fun senior-related events, and taking time to cherish my last month at a school I had called home for four years. And while often the experience is not on par with the hype, I have never had anticipation fail me so completely.
I’ll be honest, it’s hard not to dwell on the loss. It’s hard not to be disappointed. It’s hard to be grateful. But over these past several weeks, I have come to the realization that growth is not always easy. Though quarantine is an unfortunate circumstance, it has taught me to be mindful and has allowed me time to process through the highs and lows of my senior year. This time has been incredibly important for me and has not only provided me the opportunity to reflect on my time in high school but has also given me the space to take a step back and practice self-care. Likewise, it has been beautiful and heartwarming to see how so many of my classmates and friends have taken such a hard situation and made the most of it.
Classmate Morgan Snider, senior, admits that she’s upset that so many senior events have been canceled. However, with the extra time being quarantined, she has been able to take up old hobbies like painting and playing the piano and has even started some online college classes to get a head start on her college career. Similarly, Sage Lewotsky, senior, shares that it’s unfortunate that we’re not fully able to say goodbye to our teachers and fellow classmates. Nonetheless, Lewotsky expresses how this time has brought an element of fruitfulness with it. She explains that she has been able to become more independent with school work due to remote learning and feels that this has helped better prepare her for life in college.
Amidst this time in quarantine, I have realized the importance of cherishing the moments we have with one another. I spent most of high school just trying to make it through each year, eagerly anticipating senior year and all of the memories that would come along with it. But, frankly, we never know how much time we will have. These unfortunate circumstances taught me a hard lesson about the significance of appreciating our time in the present.
Instead of always looking towards the future, I think there is a lesson to be learned about loving where we are now – appreciating the people placed in our lives. And while the future is important, there is a reason why we are in this chapter of life. The lessons we are learning and the events we are experiencing have a purpose, and with them, we are able to grow and be well equipped for the life God has planned for us.
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Photo Credits: OC Register
