The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller(76)

Epilogue

“So there it is folks. The story of my resurrection. As I stated before, I hope that you find yourselves able to take something from my story. The next four years of your life, as you embark on your own journeys, will be some of the greatest and possibly some of the most difficult of your lives. There will be so many of your own firsts to experience. Take time to learn from each one.
“In the audience among you, you will see all the people who made a difference in my life during my time here at Titan. Well, almost all of them. There’s Kaeleb McMadden, with his patented crooked smile, right there in the front row holding our six-month-old baby girl, Adley Walker McMadden in his arms. Next to him is the infamous Quinn Larkin, formerly known as Quinn Matthews. Yes, the one bouncing up and down in the chair. And next to her is her husband Tommy Larkin, along with their very handsome young man, Ethan.
“Behind me on the stage in that chair right there, is Professor Martin Palmer. He invited me here and gave me the opportunity to share my story with you. So thank you for that, Doc. You know how I love speaking in front of crowds. I’m pretty sure this is some sort of therapeutic exercise in which I’m unknowingly participating. That being said, if you have a chance to take his Elements of Trust course, I highly recommend it.
“All kidding aside, I wanted you to see all of these people because without their help, I wouldn’t have become Dr. Aubrey Miller and I most likely wouldn’t be standing here in front of you today. You see, whether it be the assignment of a roommate, or the pairing of your Boarding Buddy, or a certain class you take, or even a particular relationship you form with one of your professors…no matter how trivial it may seem, every situation you will find yourself in over these next four years has the potential to change your life.
“I was lucky. I was given a second chance. And I’m using that gift to counsel patients who need help dealing with their own darkness. To help them navigate through the particularly hard times in their lives. That’s my purpose. What’s yours?
“You may not know now, but I hope that during these next few years, you discover what your true passion is. College is a time of learning and growth for all of you. So here’s my advice:
“Face your fears and overcome them. Become the best person you can be as you grow into your impending adulthood. Find what drives you and hone those skills. Practice them and perfect them, so that you can leave this world in a better state than you found it.
“Be thankful for each day you’re granted on this earth. Form friendships. Find love. Feel passion. Embrace destiny. Your destiny. Because at the end of these four years, you will most likely not be the same person you are at this moment. It’s up to you to decide who you will be. What you will do. And how you will do it. So, choose wisely.
“Thank you so much for allowing me to speak at this year’s Freshman Orientation. And although I’m still wondering if this isn’t Dr. Palmer’s payback for missing my own, I’m extremely honored to be the first to introduce you to this campus. I look forward to witnessing the indelible marks that you will most certainly leave upon this world as each and every one of you complete your own separate journeys here. So, with that being said…
“Congratulations, Graduating Class of 2018. Good luck to all of you, and of course, welcome to Titan University.”