Hi everyone,
It's me, checking back in. I hope everyone is well and that your candidates are still hanging in there! Any day without one of THOSE emails is a great day. Just a little update since you all were so supportive over the past few weeks:
(1) My mom: Mom had surgery last week to remove malignant melanoma from her face. After 26 stitches and an incision from just below her eye down to under her chin, the doctor hopes she got it all but this Thursday's appointment for a followup will tell us a lot. Overall, mom is feeling ok about everything and as a daughter, that's all I can hope for. It was a bit of a bummer birthday for her, however. But, if all works out, she will hopefully have a much better birthday next year.
(2) My daughter: I know the last thing any of our candidates wants to hear is that there is a better place for them if they have faith and trust. That was the last thing my daughter wanted to hear last week. Lots of tears, lots of frustration, and lots of feelings of failure. So, she went to accepted student day at Saint Mary's College this weekend to see if it would be as good of a fit as she initially thought. We took some time to discuss the dual major (physics with applied mathematics and aerospace engineering with Notre Dame) with her advisor, and discussed the ROTC element. Within an hour of being on campus she was over the moon to say that she is "Officially SMC 2020!" And for me, I am thrilled that she can say that because I too was officially SMC back in the day. She will be rooming with a Marine option ROTC student and they have already begun planning their workouts to get ready. All in all, everything has worked out perfectly and I don't think anyone could be happier.
Thank you all for your support and friendship! While I will be leaving this board soon, I just want to wish all of you and your candidates well! Don't give up the ship!!!