Yesterday we dropped off our daughter Olivia for her first day as a freshman at UC Merced. I cried when we drove up to the campus and I saw the University of California sign. Olivia is a person who has had to work very hard every single day of her academic life. And here she is at UC Merced, her top school choice.
When my oldest sister Patrice left for college, my mother said it was as though 5 people had moved out: Patrice’s presence loomed that large. I feel that way today. As I sit at the dining room table writing this, the house feels empty and quiet. But I draw comfort from knowing Olivia has only entered her next phase. She’s off on a new adventure, eager and ready to create her own future. xoxo
