Graduation Day

I barely can recall the day of my college graduation. Even though my husband was my only comrade in attendance, I felt proud to be with cum laude honors, sitting in a special section. Also it’s a good thing all we graduates wore loose-fitting robes. At the time of this event, I was almost eight months pregnant, and I do believe that even in that flowing robe, my pregnancy was showing! It’s been decades since that day, which is why I barely can recall a thing except for my feelings of joy, accomplishment and pride – that despite the challenges of raising a daughter for the prior three years, working part-time, and even walking back and forth to college (I’d still not learned to drive), I had managed to complete the necessary courses to the best of my ability and obtain my bachelor’s degree. You can be a parent and you can have a job and still do well in college. It only takes desire, focus and energy. I am proof of that; my education gave me a profession, and never will I regret my efforts. March 17, 2023 for Graduation Day Poetry Contest of Craig Cornish