Once in a while, I feel a bit like Reyna Grande, who grew up in a broken family and became the first person in her family to graduate from college. During these periods, I feel like I should get to know Stuart, Martha & Matt’s siblings as well as all their spouses, children and grandchildren; Nancy, Bernyce and Doug’s children and grandchildren; Dennis & Joan plus their kids and grandkids; Marty’s sister and her children and grandchildren; Erin’s parents and sister/brother-in-law; some people from the Utah gang; and the Nolin-Halpern-Gianettis (Anna, Ben, Zeff, Ethan & Ava). Part of the reason is because I sometimes tune into their graduations (think Kerrigan and Mason); have seen them on virtual baby showers (think Stuart, Martha and Matt’s extended family); or just feel like the pandemic has caused me to stay at home.
Other times, I am grateful that I have been able to see Jamey, Erin, Christopher, Drew, Tom, Stuart, Martha, Anna, Matt, Matthew and Mosiah a lot in this post-pandemic era. Additionally, unlike Reyna Grande, my family has had higher education. My mom, Aunt Marty, Uncle Pete Uncle Tom, Uncle Stuart, Aunt Martha, Grandma Jane, PopPop, Cousin Anna and Cousin Matt all got Bachelor’s Degrees. My dad, Uncle Jamey, Grandma Marj and Uncle Grant all have Masters Degrees. My Grandpa Bill got an EdD. For me, I was always thinking when I go to college instead of if I go to college. I have also been quite thankful of all the places that I have been to. As a child growing up in poverty, Reyna Grande had only been to Mexico and the United States whereas I have been to China, Canada, the United States and so many places in Europe. In addition, Reyna Grande had to pay her way through college and go to public universities whereas my parents have been saving to help for me since I was little. Finally, she never got a book until 19 whereas I grew up with lots of them.
There are times where I think of Lydia as my version of Diana because she is very supporting to me and is always there for me. Similar to how Reyna Grande felt about Diana, and especially when I am fed up in a lot of drama, I will have to turn to Lydia because she is the only one I can talk to. But I’ve also learned that there are other people beside Lydia who care for me, including my parents.
Kate after School 