Anna's Final College Orchestra Concert

*This was written back in April and now it's of course July. I couldn't post back then because there was an announcement at the end -- Anna's plans for a masters and sixth year at Fairfield. If you missed what that's all about, check this out*  

It was Anna's final college orchestra concert and boy, it was an amazing one. Probably the best one in all four years. 

I was so excited, beaming, and in tears throughout, especially the end when the seniors were recognized. I'll get to that part in just a bit. 

First, I want to start by expressing my gratitude to the College of the Holy Cross Orchestra. That space, that place, those Tuesday and Thursday evenings held my daughter in a beautiful way. 

It helped her to grow musically. It allowed her to continue playing her viola. It was safe and comfortable when she was adjusting. Yet it helped her to grow musically and socially beyond high school level. 

So so grateful. 

Here are some orchestra college posts that I love. 

This one was her first picture of her very first rehearsal. I remember being so happy to see this pop up on my phone ~ September 2021 

This post is when she showed us her rehearsal space when we visited her for Family Weekend. She looks so so happy! ~ October 2021

This post is her first college orchestra concert (back when masks were required) ~ November 2021

This post is her spring concert freshman year ~ March 2022

This post is her freshman year End of Year concert ~ April 2022 

This post is her sophomore fall concert ~ November 2022

This post is her sophomore year Lessons and Carols ~ December 2022

This post is her sophomore year spring concert ~ March 2023 

This post is her sophomore year End of Year concert ~ April 2023 

This post is her junior year fall concert ~ November 2023 

This post is her junior year Lessons and Carols concert ~ December 2023 

Then Anna left for study abroad in China from December 27, 2023 - June 2024

This post is her senior year fall concert ~ November 2024 

This post is her senior year Lessons and Carols concert ~ December 2024 

This post is her senior year spring concert ~ March 2025 (the only one I missed) 😢

And that brings us to her very last College of the Holy Cross orchestra concert ~ April 2025

~ driving in

~ spotting her dorm and her window 

~ the beautiful Performing Arts Center 

~ sunset over the hill 

~ arriving and sending a few moments before the concert began 

~ a last concert present 

At this point before our favorite song of Holy Cross the seniors were honored. I know that I can express my emotions on this blog but this moment truly took me by surprise. I saw that 'little' girl up there about to be recognized and honored as a college senior and I felt an overwhelming feeling of gratitude to God for what could have been, what she has walked through, and what her life is now. It was something, I tell you! 

Here is a video of the concert. 

And if you scroll to 1:24:18 you can see her senior night moment. 

The Fourth

The Fourth was 

simple

fun

delicious

happy

easy

just what we needed it to be because there was a big big big special dinner the next night (that I will get to in another post) 

Our annual 'before people come' photo that I love so much! 

My silly girls... 

Scott's famous July 4th campfire packets 

My Mom wasn't able to make it but we were glad to have my brother and my dad

And there was fresh peach and blueberry pie... my oh my... I love baking a pie!

Oh yes, it was a dandy fourth! 

College Orientation

College Orientation

The day before our trip to Naples Abigail had her college orientation at Fairfield University. We sure were excited and nervous the night before. There were a ton of tasks she / we had to get done before that orientation. All online: health forms, roommate questioners, language placement tests, and more! We were busy with those things throughout our crazy June -- even while her high school graduation festivities were going on.   

The Drama

One : The orientation was the night before our big summer vacation to Naples so we had to be all packed and ready to go to Florida before orientation. 

Two :  Our washer broke -- mid cycle the day before orientation (we were to be going from 6:45 am - 8:00 pm) and two days before our trip. Yikes. Fixing a washer was not what we wanted to be working on. I actually had tons of laundry for the trip to do and I also wanted to leave the house with all of the laundry we weren't brining, all clean and away. I knew that coming home from the trip would have a ton. So much for getting all of the bedding and towels all washed and ready to come home to all cozy! 

While I stressed out and picked out new ones on line to be delivered the day we came home from our trip, Scott ordered a new washing machine motor on Amazon to come at 4 am the day of Fairfield. 

On the day of the orientation we got up at 4 am and he took apart the washer, put the new motor in and started to put it back together. We had to stop and get out the door for Fairfield (a little over an hour) by 6:45 so we left the washer looking like this until 8 pm! 

Three:  Heat -- The forecast for orientation day was to be 100 degrees. 100!!!! In Connecticut that is highly unusual. 80, sure, but never 100! And we would be walking around outside throughout the day. 

Orientation Day

We left all of that washer and leaving the next morning drama behind us and drove to Abigail's future home away from home. 

They sure did welcome us with joy! There were screaming, jumping greeters, balloons, flowers, and the most welcoming campus! Even in the parking garage there was a warm welcome. 

There was a light breakfast provided and a welcome meeting (including prayer) together. 

I was so moved by the prayer and honestly (just like Anna at Holy Cross) it felt so good to finally have her in a place that weaves faith with education. Finally. 

Then we split up for the entire day. 

Parents had meetings all day and future students had meetings all day. They registered for classes, met academic advisors, and learned about their first year. Parents learned about finances, the curriculum, activities, and more. (books that are required reading this summer for her) 

We had lunch in their cafeteria and loved it! Abigail had lunch with her group for the day and her New Student Leader. (I did peek over just once and saw her laughing and talking - no pictures of that of course!) 

At the end of the day it was so great to see our girl walking toward us. Hot, tired, and oh so happy! 

My takeaway from orientation is that is a just a great stepping stone for college parents. They get to be on campus and have a whole day with new peers but yet get to come home with you at the end of the day. Perfect mix. 

Afterward

We got home in the evening totally exhausted to our broken washer and a whole trip to get ready for. But we did it. I packed up with the girls while Scott finished fixing the washer. We didn't know if it would work after he put it all back together since we were guessing at what was wrong with it but it WORKED! I think I did four loads of laundry that evening before we left for our trip. 

It seems that nothing this spring and early summer has been easy for us. There have been one big event after another. But long stretched out summer days will come soon! 

My heart swells for this new college (and still for Anna's Holy Cross too), my girls, and all that lies ahead.