Three weeks ago my daughter Julia and her boyfriend were married. It was a beautiful day, both literally and figuratively. She is my first born child and someone who came into the world an anxious person. As a child she worried a lot and as her parents, we worried along with her. Whether related to soccer, swimming, school, her friendships, or her career path, there was always something to fret about.
As I stood before her invited guests and so many of my family members at the wedding ceremony, I wanted to weep. Not just cry, but weep. I was so proud of her and so happy that she found this amazing man. She looked stunning and the mass was very special. However, by far what moved me most was how far she had come. She has grown into a beautiful, bright, educated, gracious, and happy woman…. after all of our worrying. I could not hold back the tears throughout the weekend as the joy and gratitude I felt was truly overwhelming.
I share this story with you because I realize that many of you may be where we were with Julia years ago; listening to the worrying, getting caught up in the social dilemmas, anxiously fearing the future, and wondering what adulthood would be like.
Please know, from someone who has come out on the other side, our children do grow up and eventually find happiness as long as we continue to love and support them.
God is working in our lives and he loves us all, even when we don’t reciprocate. I hope that as you raise your children through these emotionally challenging high school years that you will remain confident that, as Bob Marley once sang, “...every little thing is gonna be alright”. There is a plan for all of us. We just have to be patient as it unfolds.
Thank you all for your continued support throughout the first quarter of the school year. I have felt so welcomed and appreciated by the Rice families, faculty, and students. It has made each day a joy to come to work.
I hope to see you around the campus in the coming weeks and months!