@IJV28 I am so sorry - it truly does, especially when you've been waiting for your turn your whole life! But hey, let's look at this way: if we can survive this, we can survive anything!

@Vault13warrior and @Eclipse Pictures I think many of us are hoping to do some kind of graduation ceremony and/or party in the summer, but at this point, even that's uncertain! The lock-down and social distancing could easily go on for months, and there's no way of knowing when it'll be safe to have parities again. But one can always hope for the best!

^ Awh, that's great! Yeah, hopefully it's all over soon, High School graduation is a blast, it may not feel as sincere since it will be off-date, but you'll have fun otherwise! And yes, we can hope for the best, and maybe the best will come.

@Companionkatniss thank you for your kind words and the graduation gift! They mean a lot to me. :-) As I look to the future, many things are blurry and uncertain right now, but one thing I will always do is hold these characters close to my heart and remember their strength, wisdom, and compassion when I feel lost.

Hope for the best and prepare for the worst

And don't whack yourself in the face with a plastic lightsaber. No, really, I've done it, and it hurts like all heck

What a beautiful post. This pandemic is tragic and awful, but at least we can find comfort in the fact that although we may feel alone in our isolation, it's something the entire world is going through as well. The way we've all come together during this trying time is a testament to the good nature of human beings.

For me, Star Wars has always been an escape from reality, especially when things get tough. It's more than a saga of movies, it's a universe where everything just makes sense, where good always triumphs over evil, where we can find comfort in times of hardship. Right now, we need Star Wars more than ever and I give my sincerest thanks to everyone who has ever contributed to that galaxy far, far away. These individuals do more than tell stories, they change lives.

As a fellow member of the class of 2020, I can commiserate. Everyone's had misfortunes due to this pandemic. There's a quote from Lord of the Rings that I find particularly applicable and inspiring to our current situation.

“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo.

“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

I think this message from Gandalf is very powerful. Don't worry about what was or what could have been; worry about what is and what could be. Focus on the positive and on lifting others and you will find purpose and fulfillment.

I love this post! I am a senior, and while I'm not too disappointed about the lack of a graduation ceremony, it is really stressful and scary to be emerging into the world of adulthood and college, etc, in this time of total upheaval. So thank you for this post! It's really encouraging 🥰

@JENNIFERGRIEVOUS I'm glad it was an encouragment to you! I definitely agree that this is a stressful and uncertain time to be stepping out into the world and spreading your wings.