The Class of 2020

This year's graduating class will have the misfortune of missing out on the Commencement Ceremony and other related festivities.   While I understand the disappointment, this may be a moment that may provide more benefit in learning about life than they may have learned during their time in school.    Life never goes according to plan.   Almost everyone learns that truth as I did soon after graduating high school when the steel industry collapsed, interest rates rose to over 20% and many in my hometown of Pittsburgh were left jobless after decades in the mills.  Shortly after, my father had his 2nd heart attack that left him disabled and ultimately ended his life 14 years later at the age of 69.  As a child I was a regular viewer of Walter Cronkite on CBS and the nightly death toll from Vietnam. My parents lived through the Depression and WWII both losing their mothers as children.  I have seen disease kill and disable millions with the Polio and AIDS Epidemics.  My hope is that our youth never experience these types of horrors but I know that will probably not be the case.

Pretty depressing right?  Well not really.  In addition to these facts is also the fact that the human spirit will always prevail.   In the US we are fortunate to have the freedom to pursue happiness and succeed beyond all dreams.  Need some examples?  Dr. Ben Carson,  Kobe Bryant, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg all come to mind as recent examples.

We are living in unique times but it is no worse than what mankind has struggled with since the beginning of time.  My advise?  Be prepared and get an education in something that has value.  It doesn't need to be a college education but something that pays well and is in high demand.  I would suggest if you do invest in college that it be in a science or technical based field like medicine, engineering, chemistry etc.  Don't want to go to college?  Go to a technical school.  Learn to become a welder, an HVAC Technician, a mechanic, etc. 

In the blink of an eye you will be 60 years old with grown children and wondering where the time went.  Until then make every day count.  Take care of your health, save money, work hard, be a good mother or father and spend time with your family.   Even though you are just beginning your adult life you don't have a minute to waste.  Learn that lesson today.  You will be glad that you did.

Eleven years ago I had the pleasure of celebrating my daughter's graduation.  While you may be having a more muted celebration this year know that your are blessed to live in the US with the opportunities that don't exist elsewhere and that your families, friends, communities and fellow Americans are wishing you blessings, health and happiness.  Congratulations!