One of the pillars in my grandma’s life was this: always expect the worst.
“That way, when the worst doesn’t happen, you feel better,” she would say. “But, if the worst comes, you’re prepared.”
This never failed to send Mom and me into paroxysm of glee. Grandma Honorata would pretend to pout and defend herself, but she, too, would end up laughing.
I wonder what Grandma would say to members of the Class of 2020 in middle school, high school and college? This class has to deal with cancellations and closures amid a worldwide pandemic. Firstborn’s high school senior year is interrupted: Prom isn’t happening, nor is the senior trip to Magic Mountain, and who knows about graduation?
In 1986 in the Philippines, while I was preparing to graduate from high school, there was a full-fledged revolution brewing in the streets. In the face of activists getting arrested or killed, of poor people hunching even lower into poverty, of talk of tanks and guns, rallies and curfews, thoughts of what I would wear to prom seemed trivial.
Our parents sat us down and talked to us about sacrifice and humility, of going without for the greater good. They still got together and put on a prom for us, in the Dizons’ house. We borrowed each other’s dresses so everyone had a new outfit to wear. We had a blast.
I remind our Firstborn that he was born in 2001, that he is a 9/11 baby, when we all had to face the terror of a new reality. I tell him his birth was a great sign of hope for us. Holding him helped stiffen our spine even though our hearts were heavy. These days also call for finding hope in what remains.
Sydney Haupt, 18, class commissioner for La Salle High School in Pasadena, is trying to make up for the loss of traditional senior moments with new events.
“We still want to bring our community together and make the best of our remaining time together,” she said. “We’re committing our remaining budget towards Senior Celebration, which will be a night for La Salle Class of 2020 to relax and unwind.”
Proposed activities include burning college rejection letters and watching a sunset together on campus.
The significance of this shortened year also isn’t lost on Summer Salama, 18, a senior at West Covina High School.
“In the beginning it was difficult because I was so used to going to school and being with friends most of the time,” she said. “I was looking forward to planning our last rally, our male pageant, attending prom, and so on. After the first week, I took time to focus on what was around me, my family.
“This situation has allowed me to spend more time with my family before heading off to college. It’s allowed me to sit back and enjoy the little things. I’m sad that I’ve missed some of my senior events, but instead I have more time to cherish moments and for that I’m happy and content.”
See? You always have been a source of light for the world, Class of 2020. You are going to be okay.
Anissa V. Rivera is columnist for Pasadena Star-News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Whittier Daily News, Azusa Herald, Glendora Press and West Covina Highlander San Dimas/La Verne Highlander Southern California News Group, 605 E. Huntington Drive, Suite 100, Monrovia, CA 91016, 626-497-4869.
