“Mom, they’re canceling our classes. What if I don’t graduate?!” My daughter’s text arrived just as I saw the news flash across the screen. I made my way up to her room, dreading the disappointment I knew awaited me. No amount of mental preparation could soften the blow. Her downcast expression brought me to my emotional knees, and I found myself sharing in her tears.
During a global pandemic, my daughter, who has faced her share of struggles throughout her senior year, was finally on the path to success. Just weeks before everything changed, she had been granted precious time—time to improve her grades, time to complete unfinished assignments, time to mend past mistakes, time to be with friends and bid farewell to the school she had called home for five years.
The first emotion that hit her was fear. The anxiety over whether she would graduate consumed her. Her immediate worry wasn’t about attending a party in a stunning gown; it was about whether her efforts would be enough to earn her high school diploma. The void of graduation celebrations came later.
As a mother, it’s my role to provide comfort. Scraped knees, disappointment from not making the volleyball team, and heartbreaks are all part of my job description. However, a canceled senior year due to a pandemic is a scenario I never envisioned as part of my motherhood experience.
A few hours later, the news broke: “All 2020 graduation ceremonies will be canceled.” My heart sank.
Anticipating her response, I climbed the stairs to her room, but this time there was silence. No footsteps, no text. With my hand pressed against my chest, I reflected on her milestones—her first steps, her joyful kindergarten graduation, and that moment when she tried on her prom dress. I was filled with pride then, but now I feared how I would console her when I felt so lost myself. This was not just her loss; it was mine too.
As I approached her room, I hoped to bring her some semblance of comfort. I am her mother, after all. Yet, words failed me. Just weeks ago, we were excitedly shopping for prom dresses, and now everything had flipped upside down.
She was not just losing her final year of high school; she was losing out on a proper farewell to teachers and friends, the cherished moments that typically accompany graduation. The cap and gown, the stage, and the cheers from family members—all those things vanished in an instant.
To my daughter and countless others in the Class of 2020, it feels as though time has been snatched away. The moments to muster the courage to ask someone to prom, to rectify a failing grade, or to share laughs with friends during “Senior Ditch Day” have been stripped away from what should have been their grand finale.
They are mourning the abrupt end to what were supposed to be some of the best years of their lives. There will be no ceremonial speeches ushering them into adulthood, no applause as they accept their diplomas, and no memories captured in yearbooks.
My daughter and the graduating classes of 2020 have been deprived of the closure that many of us take for granted. Just recently, we were shopping for her dress, and the joy on her face was a memory I treasured. When I learned her ceremony was canceled, I was flooded with emotions. It felt as if a lifetime of milestones had been stolen, leaving a gaping hole in what should have been a joyous rite of passage.
I recognize that a global pandemic like COVID-19 affects us all, and I understand my privilege in facing these challenges. However, living with a 17-year-old girl during such turbulent times means feeling her heartbreak deeply. The loss of her senior year is not just about missing prom; it’s about losing a significant chapter in her life.
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In summary, the abrupt end to my daughter’s senior year has left both her and me feeling a profound sense of loss. This pandemic has stolen a pivotal moment from her life, one that is difficult to console or comprehend.