Dear Class of 2020

I have been sad all day since Governor Wolf announced that schools would be closed for the rest of this school year.

I have no reason to be.

I don't ’t have kids in school anymore.

I’m not looking at mopey faces; heartbroken to hear that they wouldn’t be reunited with their friends and teachers and life as they know it.

I had the privilege to watch my kids enjoy their final sports seasons and the “rites of passages” that every senior gets to experience.

But the kids I photograph somehow become “my kids" and whether I watched you grow up from a little kiddo or I just got to spend 90-120 minutes with you and your parent(s) while I took your senior portraits….you are one of my kids. Through the wonder of social media I get to see my seniors grow up and strike out on their own and because I’ve been doing this long enough I have the privilege of watching them start their own families.

I get to spend time with these amazing people who are on the cusp of striking out on their own and also, I get to spend time with their parents who are struggling to them go.

I’m sad for all of you. And from what I’ve seen you’re all handling this situation with grace.

But this sucks. And I hope you will give your kids (and yourselves) time to grieve for the lost last part of their senior year. Games unplayed, speeches unspoke, songs unsung…..

It’s sad. And for you parents….….you’ve kept these humans alive, happy and successful for 18 years and no graduation? Jeez….talk about anticlimactic..

I hope you’ll give yourself time to be sad and then I can’t wait to sit back and see how your creativity (along with your school district's) will kick in to celebrate your senior.

Big hugs to all of you. I’m so sorry.