The Boldness and Courageousness of Youth

Meet some of the Colorado University Class of 2018.  I’ve been looking at the images from a photo shoot with these ladies and I can’t decide if I want to laugh or cry.

Laugh because they were just so darn much fun.  Laugh because their energy, enthusiasm and optimism is contagious.  And laugh because they were all a bunch of sarcastic smart-asses and were cracking me up.

The crying part comes in because one of them happens to be my niece.  I was a freshman in college when she was born and now she’s graduating and heading out into the real world.

How the hell did that happen?

I am pretty sure I just graduated from college seven or eight years ago.  At least that’s what it feels like.  Almost twenty years ago?  No.  Not possible.

But I do admit feeling a little old hanging out with these ladies.  But despite the age gap, I found myself admiring them and the friendships they’ve cultivated over their four years in college.

Say what you want about millennials, but this group is figuring it out.  They talked about their semesters abroad, about traveling in New York for spring break, about moving halfway across the country to start professional jobs.  Semester abroad? A big milestone for me was driving in Denver traffic by myself the first time in college.  They are more sophisticated and wordly at 22 than I am now at (almost) twice that age.

I think I most admired their openess to new ideas and experiences.  I call it being conservative, but in many instances, it’s simply fear.  Fear of failure.  Or rejection.  Or even simply having your beliefs challenged.

Some might mistake this boldness for simply not knowing any better.  But I think it’s more than that.  It’s courage and determination to live life on different terms.

Thank you ladies, for sharing an evening, and a little piece of yourselves with me.  I wish you the best of luck in the future.  And if I have any advice for you, it would be this…be strong, and of good courage.  The rest will fall into place.

–Teresa