Traditions may have been interrupted, but we won’t be defeated

May marks a time of traditional celebrations of closures of the school year, especially more formal events such as graduations.
    

As an educator, a mother and a human being, it is difficult to fathom altering these celebrations. As an educator, I have students who are graduating from college, who majored in nursing. As a mother, I have two children who completed their school year, including one who completed preschool. 
    

Then, I have two nieces who will graduate from high school  and a niece and nephew who will graduate from college. There are countless friends’ children who will graduate or who have successfully completed the school year.  
    

During this strange time, I have to remind myself to choose hope and celebrate even if it is not a traditional celebration. These celebrations were transformed into parades, drive-bys and virtual graduations, to name a few. 
    

Through this pandemic, what we have learned as a family is it is important to pause, to reflect, to have faith and to keep moving forward.  
    

I challenge you to pause and reflect, to choose hope and to continue to be creative in celebrating even the smallest milestones for the ones who deserve to be celebrated. We must let these children or even adults know that they are the chosen ones and that hope will carry them through to keep this world moving forward.
    

To my students, you gave me a reason as an educator to get up daily to provide you with the tools you needed to not just get by but to thrive. Now that you made it through this unprecedented period, I know in my heart you will continue to make it with faith. This gives me hope for the future. You are our future, and we are counting on you. 
    

To my children, my nieces, my nephew and others who were affected, I know you did not want it to end this way. Even in these uncertain times, I can assure you, through faith and hope for the future, we will cheer you on. This is humanity at its finest; it is about others. It is about how we are all in this together, to make the world a better place on the other side.
    

How do you restore hope? As a family, we walk outside, talk to each other, do for others and rely on our faith. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).
    

Lord, as we continue on this journey, hear our prayers. I come before you today in need of hope.  There are times when I feel helpless. There are times when I feel weak. In these times, I pray for hope. I need hope for a better life. I need hope for a better future. Help me to walk in your light, and live my life in faith and glory.
    

Kristy Solis grew up in Meraux, where she still resides with her family. She graduated from Our Lady of Holy Cross with a bachelor of science in nursing, Loyola University New Orleans with a master of science in nursing, and University of Holy Cross with a doctor of eEducation in executive leadership. She has practiced as a Registered Nurse and a Family Nurse Practitioner with a concentration in adult health. With Katrina, God led her down another path, which she discovered her passion and embarked on the path of Nursing Education.

 

Since then to present day, she serves full-time as a nursing faculty member with the University of Holy Cross. Kristy’s husband serves the country in the United States Army. Her family consists of two young daughters and one young at heart papa.  Her family is blessed to be part of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church family in St. Bernard.  Kristy’s favorite things to do with her family are to pray together and to experience new adventures together.