This graduation season, I reflect on the roller coaster this last decade has been.
In 2009, I graduated — a child psychiatrist, a medical doctor, ready to serve my community and raise my children in Westmoreland County. In 2007 and 2010, I was fortunate to become a mother. I was ready.
But it has been a turbulent ride. Our kids’ motivation and emotion regulation and interpersonal relational skills have been challenged by rising social and financial pressures, a global pandemic and an uncertain future.
Blessed are the high-achieving children.
Blessed are the families with bank rolls to pay for the education of their young.
Thanks be to those who raise their children to believe that, in hard work, there will be success.
Thanks be to the community who recognizes that the emotional and cognitive well-being of their children is the key to future health and prosperity for us all.
May we work, together, to support the kids and families in our county; to grow our next generation of teachers and professionals, tradespeople and entrepreneurs. For in them is our future, our hope and the promise that success in this beautiful United States of America is available to one and all.
Susan Wilson
Greensburg