Page 8 - Boca ViewPointe - September '23

Page 8, Viewpointe September 2023
College And On My Own

By Josette Veltri my emotional exhaustion I just want you to know that it will be OK. I believe in you
and, excruciating knots in and love you son.” We talked a little more than I said, “I love
Over time everyone, my stomach only added to you Mom,” and hung up.
individually and collectively, my loneliness. The heavy The first week melted fast into Sunday morning. I
develops a sense of safety downpours contributed to decided to have a conversation with God and go to church.
and security. The process the uncertainties of my first As I entered the vestibule, I felt nausea from the scent of
is slow and continuous night and worse yet, my burning candles and the sound that emerged from the huge
as we venture out on the morning classes. pipe organ filled the air with sadness not cheer. I quietly
journey called our life. And, I woke leery about the selected a pew, knelt, prayed and began to cry. It was the
when our sense of safety upcoming events of the day and the inclement weather first time I released the emotions I held inside. Emotions I
and security is shattered, made my spirits hit rock bottom. I found the attitudes of the tried so desperately to hide.
it creates turmoil in our professor’s cold which contributed to the eerie silence in all He concludes:
thoughts, emotions and physicality. In other words, it is one my classrooms. Occasionally the silence broke when a few Since then, I would ask myself over and over, “Why
heck of a traumatic experience. professors provided a minute of sympathy. I thought this is are you here?” Eventually, I noticed a subtle change in my
The following is a true story about a young man venturing their attempt to force students to develop maturity rapidly. answer - this is not a prison but an opportunity to grow -
off to an out of state college leaving behind the safety and The syllabus was immediately presented followed by a brief and, I knew then I was free to stay or leave. I decided to
security of his family. And, with that said, this could be introduction to the curriculum. stay and after several weeks of college living, I realize I
your story entering a new normal after a loss, a breakup or At the conclusion of classes, my peers and I walked can do this, AND I did!
a relocation; it could be your children’s or grandchildren’s through knee-deep puddles of water in a desperate I share this young man’s story to encourage and reassure
story as they start the beginning of a new school year. attempt to reach the bookstore. I found myself desperately those transitioning into the unknown that new beginnings
I have read and re-read this story many times and, rummaging through thousands of books to find the assigned will be uncomfortable and difficult at first. During these
each time I embrace new feelings of loss and discovery, material needed and, reluctantly walk toward the back of times of uncertainty, expect your emotions, anxieties to
helplessness and hope, despair and encouragement, defeat an endless line to complete my purchases. I waited in a line feel chaotic and don’t be surprised if you feel unsafe and/
and victory. for what seemed hours but then relief, the cash register was or insecure. If you remember nothing else from this young
From the beginning he writes: finally insight. I tried lifting my textbooks but decided to man’s experience, remember this, if you patiently hold fast
Home has always given me a sense of safety and inner drag them across the floor until I eventually reached the and stick with this situation or that event, after a while, you
peace. In the back of my mind I have always realized this and counter. I then picked them up and dropped them with a will begin to notice opportunities of next steps and new starts.
now a sizable gap separates me from my household. I was sigh. The salesperson grinned as she began ringing up the Now, with that said, CRY IF YOU MUST, BUT DON’T
feeling discouraged and unprotected. The most memorable items with various prices. I dreaded the total, looked, took YOU QUIT!
event of my life was saying good-bye to my family and a breath, and wrote the check.
leaving for college. The dreariness of the day dragged on and contributed Josette Veltri, a Boca Point resident, is a certified
And, so the day came he continues: to my sadness. I kept thinking of home and how I took for educator and coach on loss and transition. Her purpose, to
It was a gloomy, wet Wednesday morning when my mom, granted the affection and understanding I received. So, I assist clients heal and move forward so they can go from I
sister and I drove away in a car filled to the brim with college decided to call home. My mom knew from the sound of my Can’t to I Can, One Step at a Time. She can be reached at
paraphernalia embarking on a 700 mile journey to my new hello how I was feeling and what I needed to hear. josette@nextstepnewstart.com. (https://www.linkedin.com/
home in Fredericksburg, Virginia. As we slowly approached She began with, “I know you are dealing with a lot, and in/josettejveltri/) 
the college gates, I felt the exuberant, enthusiastic energy
of the students and families as they unloaded cars, vans and
u-hauls. I remember taking a deep breath as we parked and OFFERINg 4.5 % COMMISSION ON NEW LISTINgS!!
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and I descended down the lonely steps to my dorm room. ExPERIENCE ISN’T ExPENSIvE - IT’S PRICELESS!
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