‘ Years of rebellions, fights, shifting, and struggles is finally over! My little one is finally a mature grown up and is graduating today! Can you believe it?’ I thought to myself. To my surprise, my daughter is 21 years old and is graduating today. I cannot say this enough times or contain the excitement clearly showing on my face! I wonder if time really does fly fast or have I time traveled to the future because it feels like wasn’t it just yesterday she was crying for a new Barbie doll and I was teaching her how to read?

I felt so anxious and jumpy, it almost felt like it was my graduation day. Yes, Indians don’t usually get excited for such things, it’s more like a solicitation ceremony with a certificate and some flowers for us. But I was different from the usual Indian self, you see.

The thoughts did not stop, but the announcements had begun. “And we welcome everyone, the class of 2021!” A long line of students in blue gowns and hats walked down the auditorium aisle. Every student, parent, and teacher was grinning from one end of the face to the other. After all, it was the contribution of everyone there. In that one giant auditorium. I couldn’t help but clap the loudest when Marissa‘s name was called on.

She shook the professors hand and waved and blew a kiss at me as the audience went, “AWWWWW!”

After the ceremony, successfully finding me in a crowd of excited parents, Marissa ran straight up to me right into my arms.

After a long sigh, she said “I wish mom were here, I miss her. But I am lucky I got you!” She smiled and handed someone the camera to take a picture together.