Into the Wild - confessions

I recently saw the movie Into the Wild, and while it raised a few questions, It also made me accept something I had known for a while but was unwilling to acknowledge.

Summer '06 - I was supposed to graduate in May - only I didn't. My folks flew to Austin for the ceremony and all that, and I never went to it. That, to them, was very disappointing - till this date. Now, personally speaking, I never saw the whole point behind going to a ceremony to accept the fact that you have graduated - I knew I had graduated, and that was that - I didn't need to be handed out a diploma in front of a bunch of other people to know that fact. But, for my parents, it was a big deal - they wanted to see me walk down that aisle - accept that diploma, wear the regalia, throw my hat up in the air, have a photo of me with my diploma in hand and them by my side. But, due to my feelings on the subject, I never really saw theirs. I now realize that may not have been correct.

I would guess that for many parents, it would be a proud moment to see their kid graduate College - it's something they have worked for for quiet a while (I think this is certainly true of my parents), and then on D-day for your son to back out - would have been kind of sad. I can't lay claim to knowing my parent's emotions or feelings beyond the obvious knowledge gained through them complaining to me.

What I can do, and what I am here to do is say this - I'm sorry guys. I did not mean to disappoint you, I did not mean to not do this for you - It's just something I did - mostly because I had other plans. I wanted to study some more, I wanted to experience being in school some more, I wanted to enjoy going to class some more, I wanted to learn some more.

So, mea culpa, I hope some day you will understand and excuse me for my actions.