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| Easton Depp Class of 2019 |
I remember the evening after the church service vividly. I’m
sure he does too. The sermon had spoke of the importance of fathers being kings
in early teenager years and transitioning into a coaching role as the teenager
approached college. The sagely and infinitely mature sixteen year old that I
was, demanded that I was beyond such a system. My dad should only play a
coaching role at most, because I had my life well figured out.
Boy, was I wrong.
During my final years in highschool, I leaned on my dad like a
crutch. He was my resource for any sort of professional or personal development
I needed. He acted as a beacon for me during highschool. He always made sure I
didn’t slip off track, as I was wont to do. I didn’t acknowledge it, and I
thought I had it all figured out. But,
in retrospect, I have no doubt I would have crashed and burned without him.
Because of him, I began my college search two years in advance and knew exactly
what I wanted to do. Because of him, I had picked out my college six months in
advance. Because of him, my finances were secure for my college and my future.
After I applied for college, I was sure I would be able to do
it on my own. I had gotten a hand in getting there, but now the road there was
mine and mine alone.
Once again, I was wrong.
Arriving at college orientation, I was a happy-go-lucky
engineer with a poor understanding of physics but a strong determination. After
day one, I was a frantic engineer with absolute no desire to study anything
math or science related. During the ice breakers and tours of campus locations,
I frantically texted my dad about my sudden change of heart. He dutifully spoke
to advisors, upperclassmen, and professors, and by lunch time had all the
information I could have ever wanted to pursue a career in political science
and economics. While I panicked and struggled in a sea of indecisiveness and
panic, my dad acted as my rock. He efficiently and quickly got me the
information I needed to make my decision and helped me make it.
Finally, I arrived at college, much more content with my future
and my major. At this point, I knew I would be able to do it on my own. I had
everything set up for me. All I had to do was make it happen in these four
years. I would take on the workload and make it happen. I didn’t need to be
kinged or coached anymore. I was an adult, both mentally and legally.
Unsurprisingly, I was wrong.
From texting him asking about proper dress for events, to
midnight stress calls over my crammed schedule, my dad is a constant positive force
in my life. He is always willing to help, whether it is revising my resume or
shipping me a textbook. And while I may sometimes forget to say it, I am
utterly grateful to him for everything that he has done.
As I’ve entered college, one important lesson I have learned is
that you can’t do it all yourself. No matter how experienced you are, or how
hard you work, you will always need others to support you.
So while this blog is dedicated to my dad, there are so many
others who have helped me along my way, and I cannot thank any of them enough.
So, I will express what little gratitude I can by sending this
blog their way, as a token of my gratitude. Thank you, for being a positive
influence in my life, and steering me on a successful course.
Easton Depp, of Ft. Thomas, Ky., is a sophomore McConnell Scholar studying political science and economics.