Back to School - UT This Time

Hook 'em! Today, I help move my son to Austin. He's transferring into UT as a sophomore after a great academic year at Texas Tech his freshman year.

While I'm gripped by thoughts of how much I'll miss him after a great summer at home where he fed me gourmet meals he cooked and made me laugh with his sharp witted commentary on life, I'm also musing about how fortunate he is to be a part of this family, with all the opportunities he has, and how other equally talented and smart young adults are facing much different scenarios as the college year starts up again.

My precious child has a large extended family network of support - both emotionally and financially. He knows he can not only count on his parents, but also his grandparents to make sure he has everything he needs to succeed (thanks, mom and dad!)  It's his choice whether he wants to work or not. His immediate family has college degrees and everyone in my family has graduate degrees, including two grandparents with Ph.D.'s

There are lots of young adults right now who are just as much the future of our country as my son, but they are struggling mightily under the burden of high tuition, fees and room and board. Some of these kids qualify for free tuition at our top Texas universities, but not room and board. They may be living at home taking care of siblings or their own children. They are racking up student loan debts. They won't finish in four years. They may very well be the first in their family to go to college, so they don't have the same role models and support my son has.

I get the same overwhelming feelings I got the day my son was born. He is so fortunate to have been born into this family. On that same day, many, many children were born who were not so fortunate. I'm humbled and grateful for our good luck and am committed to doing my part to make things work better for those who do not have my advantages.