HI Everyone,
Tam has asked me if I would like to be a guest blogger for her fabulous blog, College Adventures. I’m a friend and colleague of Tam’s, and I follow her blog with great interest and love to see what she’s up to.
So last week when I learned about what happened to Tracy, I was deeply moved. I live over 10,000 miles away in Dubai, yet my heart ached and I cried with all of you. You see, I, too, have lost a student who was very near and dear to me. Tam, other educational consultants and college counselors, and I all share something in common – we care deeply about all of “our kids”. We get to watch you grow and learn about yourselves. We laugh with you, cry with you, and want to mentor, nurture, and encourage you to dream about your futures. Through this process, we grow very attached to all of you. It’s more than just attachment – we love you and want you to be the best you can be.
I watched from a distance how all of you who know and love Tracy rallied around her family and each other. Tam provided a wonderful platform through her blog for you to all communicate and post your thoughts and feelings about this unexpected and tragic loss of a young life that was so full of promise. It’s hard to understand why these things happen, and even harder to make some sense out of it.
But this is what I encourage all of you to do. Explore and question the essential questions about the meaning of life, your life, and what happens to us when we pass from here. It is a painful exploration, but it will lead you to a better understanding of why you are here and your purpose in the great scheme of things. If you seek understanding, you will grow through this experience. Through my own grief and loss, I know that I now possess a renewed awe for that which we cannot see or fully understand. I’m different than I was before and I think you will all be, too. But that can be a good thing.
The sister of the student I lost just posted this on her Facebook page this morning. She understands what living and dying means, so coming from her, this song was all the more powerful. It’s a reminder for us to seize the day, really live, and show those we love just how much we love them. It’s from Kris Allen, and it’s “Live Like You’re Dying”.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=332133493&s=143441
May the source of all that is good in the universe watch over each and every one of you.
Becky
Rebecca Grappo, M.Ed.
Certified Educational Planner
RNG International Educational Consultants, LLC
www.rebeccagrappo.com
Professional Member: National Association of College Admissions Counselors, Overseas Association of College Admissions Counselors, Independent Educational Consultants Association
