Garibay, a graduating grandmother

By Angelina Garibay |Coyote Contributor|

Two years ago I applied to CSUSB to earn my bachelor’s degree in communication. I was a transfer student from Victor Valley Community College (VVC) and I transferred there from Rio Hondo Community College (RHCC).

Did I mention that the RHCC transfer was from over 30 years ago? That’s right, I’m what you might call a gray-haired granny. Well, no gray hair, there’s a box of magic for that, but I am a grandmother to 11 beautiful, adorable, smart children.

My first days on the CSUSB campus were a bit hard. At VVC there seemed to be a larger population of older folks. After all, we had things in common and I am always looking for an excuse to talk (okay, brag) about my grandkids.

Here at CSUSB, everyone is so young. Most of the kids are younger than my own children. I felt a bit out of my element. But I discovered a wonderful truth, friends are waiting to be made at any age. And I have made many friends over my two years here.

Although I might have perceived myself as being too old to relate to younger students, the students didn’t feel that way.

I have listened to stories of new love, lost love, been partners in team projects, helped and been helped with class concepts and heard about students post college dreams.

I have been accepted and appreciated for who I am. For the last 30 plus years I had been practicing the housewifely arts of childcare, home-cooking and house cleaning, not exactly activities in common with students.

I did find out that certain staff members on the Chronicle appreciated home-cooking, when I felt the urge, and had the time, to whip up a batch of cookies.

I have to admit, I might have fussed over my friends when they came to class sniffling and sneezing, offering advice on chicken soup and passing out vitamin pills; It’s hard to turn off my mom button.

Now it’s time to walk up the aisle and pick up that prized diploma and wave good-bye to a chapter of my life.

You might be asking yourself what’s happening in my next chapter. What am I going to do with my major in human communication and  minor in public relations?

Those precious grandchildren have been waiting patiently for Nana to have more time for them. They have heard the homework excuse for two years.

Tea parties, driveway chalk drawings, dancing in the sprinklers, painting pictures and shopping for clothes and toys are at the top of their list for me.

On my to do list is a glut of reading on my new Kindle Fire, teaching a quilt class, traveling around to visit relatives and friends, and trying to find neglected friends to shop and lunch with.

For my career aspirations, I am looking into some public relations opportunities with non-profits. I need to beef up my resume as I’m pretty sure tea parties in the treehouse and chalk drawing on the driveway won’t add up to much.

On June 17, I will be dancing onto the stage with many of my new found friends to pick up our diplomas. Life is sweet.