If you integrate support and family into your conversation and statements, shouldn't those values be the forefront of your actions? When others most need (and deserve?!) your support shouldn't you be there? Your support and love should be unconditional for those you care about most, for those you call family. Don't claim to be part of a 'family' if you cannot show up when it matters most. Don't claim to value support if you are not there when you are needed most.
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For five days individuals spoke of the importance of the greater family's support, thoughts and prayers. For five days two words, 'support' and 'family,' were intertwined in the conversations of all members of the university family and community family. All those individuals, they had the prime opportunity to walk the walk. But, was all the talk just lip service?!
At this point, I would say, if there was one competition the whole year you showed up to it was this Saturday. If there was one competition you were in your seat for when the team took the court, it was this Saturday. If you had to choose only one time the whole season to show in-person support, that day was Saturday. But, YOU, the individuals who used the words 'support' and 'family'... failed to walk the walk. You did a great job of talking the talk; but, when it mattered the most it was all lip service.
I was completely disheartened when I walked into the arena on Saturday 15 minutes before tip off to see over half of the student section empty. And, for that matter, over half of the arena as a whole empty. To be detailed, as a took my seat next to a co-worker I said, "Can I just say that the fact that all these seats are empty right now really piss......" She cut me off before I could finish. She interrupted with, "Yes. Yes, you can. It's ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous."
For all those students who said they couldn't show up to the game Saturday because of finals, let me tell you something, that's a POOR excuse. Yes, it's an excuse. It's not at all a reason, only an excuse. I work in academic support. I encourage good academic habits every day. I understand the gravity of finals on overall course grades. But, not attending the game to study is ridiculous.
Everyone needs to understand something... college is not only about getting good grades and understanding the X's and O's of the courses you're enrolled in. College is about growing as an individual and learning that there is so much more to life that just yourself. College is where you develop and refine your values. Where you define yourself as an individual. Where you learn the importance of family and support systems. Where you practice what you preach and learn the importance of cutting the lip service.
For all of you who failed to realize that Saturday was about those REAL college life lessons, shame on you. Finals may be next week, but you failed the real test. The test of your growth and development as an individual; the test on the real purpose of college. You clearly have a lot left to learn.
Those who arrive early or on-time and stood while applauding to say, "Welcome Home," deserve much praise. They deserve praise for understanding and learning the REAL life lessons. The students who were part of this cohort, they passed the real final this semester; the test on the real purpose of college.
[And a whole separate, directed rant... If you were sitting in the arena and chose out of free will to not to stand and applause in honor of a true blessing, shame on you. You may have failed at the real life test more than those who didn't show up. Heck, say you're part of the 'support' team and you didn't acknowledge the gravity of the moment, you may simply not be a good, decent human being. When the opposing team stands in recognition and you - as a part of the 'family' - do not stand, you are making a bold statement. You clearly value one thing... lip service. You do not value family and you do not value support.]
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A vital component of our growth is understanding the gravity of a moment. Some moments are far more meaningful, far more important than others. When a true blessing is upon you, do your part to be supportive. When it matters, be there. Do not practice lip service. Do not just talk the talk. Always do your part to walk the walk. When you stumble, find your footing and stand tall. Place one foot in front of the other and take a step. With each step you begin to walk the walk, even if at one moment you faltered.
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