Graduation...Not Really.

My most memorable moment was at the end of my senior year of high school. I was 17 years old, number 56 in my class and an honors student...but I was completely broke. I went to a Catholic high school and the tuition was raised every year. My mother and I couldn't really afford my senior year, especially with all the added fees for prom and trips and graduation fees. My mother worked her ass off to try and make things meet, but at the very last minute, we couldn't scrap up the money to pay off my tuition.

After four years of building friendships, studying late, applying for colleges, and just anticipating the day I walked across the stage to redeem my diploma as my mother watched proudly from the audience, I was slapped in the face with the reality that I would not be participating in my high school graduation. We were denied loans and the president of the school refused to give us a break even though he had allowed other students who hadn't paid tuition to participate. I was devestated and shaken by the fact that the day I had worked so hard to reach was no longer an option for me.

My mother, however, was more devestated than I was. She was so upset that she blamed herself for my unhappiness, but I wouldn't allow that. I knew that my mother would've spit shined the president's shoes if it meant that I could walk and so I sucked it up, held my head high, and took myself to graduation.

Even though I wasn't on stage with my fellow peers, I sat in the audience and watched proudly as the many faces of those I loved graced the stage and received their diplomas. I was nervous and sad, but happy that I was missed by all the surprised faces that stopped to cry, hug, and vent with me during graduation. My friends crowded me out in the grass and expressed their sympathy as well as their happiness that I had came. They commended my strength and showered me with love. Although I shed some tears of sadness, I was glad that I went. I didn't walk on that stage, but I was still up there and now, almost four years later, I'm ready to walk the even bigger stage of my university. And I WILL walk, cap, gown, and all, surrounded by the same friends that embraced me all those years ago.

It wasn't the happiest moment of my life, but it was memorable nonetheless. I didn't sit at home and mop that day. I didn't allow that president to take away a day that I could never get again. I went out there and shared that precious moment with the people I loved and I would do it all again.