The "To Courtney...With Love, Tampah!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  June 4th, 2020 and my granddaughter, Courtney was supposed to graduate from High School today.  She worked hard to maintain excellent grades and was a great student.  And as a reward, she was to graduate today.  She was supposed to walk up on the stage, cross it as everyone in attendance watched her, turn to receive her hard-earned diploma from the Principal of Urbana School District in Urbana, Maryland, and after shaking his hand, turn back toward the crowd who at this time would be cheering and applauding her.  And, a slight smile would cross her beautiful face.  

Courtney and Tampa on the Ferris wheel at Ocean City, N.J.

Do many of you remember when that happened to you.  I most certainly do since it was a big deal to me.  And, I'm sure it was to be a big deal to Courtney.  But...you know...s#@t happens!  Years and years of dreaming of walking across that stage and being handed her diploma went up in a pandemic explosion.  How could that have happened?  And, not only that, the COVID-19 virus arrived in the United States before she had a chance to finish her senior year.  

A young Courtney with her Amah.

She had to take online classes for over a month of her senior year.  Her friends weren't allowed to visit just as Courtney wasn't allowed to visit her friends.  And to top that off, she didn't have the chance to wear the really neat dress she had been dreaming of for years to her Senior Prom.  Boy does that suck!  Not only do I remember shaking the hand of my High School Superintendent, but I remember going to the Senior Prom.  So you see, I have never forgotten memories of my senior year, but Courtney will have an entirely different set of memories to store away until she grows old.  She did get to have her five minutes of fame as did all seniors when they walked across the stage to get their diploma about a week ago.  

Courtney with her sister Camille.

No one to see them and only one person at a time in the front of the auditorium.  I can still remember that day over 18 years ago when Carol and I traveled to Maryland to see our new granddaughter after she was born.  We have made countless trips since then and have taken countless vacations with Courtney and her family, but we so looked forward to this trip today...that never happened.  Courtney has been accepted to James Madison University in Virginia to hopefully become a hero in the medical field as the many nurses and doctors have done in the past few months.  I know life will go on, but it just isn't fair!  Not fair to Courtney!  Not fair to her Mom and Dad!  Not fair to her sister Camille!  

One of my favorite photos of my first grandchild.

And, certainly not fair to her grandparents!!  I recently read a great column in the Washington Post which was written by E.J. Dionne.  One great line he had written went like this..."My hope (for the Class of 2020) is that you'll engage, not flee; organize, not hang back; imagine a better country, not resign yourself to things as they are."  

Courtney at her Middle School graduation with her dad
Dave and mom Brynn.  The Mencarini Family.

She will be a better person in the future due to all the hardships she has gone through in her young life and I know she will emerge from it like a shining star.  Best of Luck Courtney in your future.  Boy, the stories you will have to tell to your children and grandchildren in the future!  Nothing like the stories I have to share.  And, as I always say, it will always work out!  Love, Tampa!!  lt was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The night she tossed up the coin for the opening kickoff during
the Battle For A Curee For Diabetes Night.

She was a super pitcher!

On her right wrist is her tattoo that means: I Am Greater
Than My Ups and My Downs.

Showing off her new College t-shirt.

On a photo shoot with some of her friends.

The day she had 5 minutes to be on the stage to
accept her diploma and have her photograph taken.

The Graduate!