Blank Diploma, Empty Seats: A Fear of Meaning & Interpretation

"I wore my cap and gown. I felt so proud. I walked to the stage. Everyone was watching. I reached for my diploma. The teacher smiled. But when I looked at the paper, it was blank. No name. No seal. Nothing. I looked at the audience. They were all strangers. I could not find my family. They were not there. I looked for my friends. They were gone too. I stood alone on the stage. I felt so empty. I worked so hard. Now no one was there. I looked at the empty seats. They were all cold. I walked off the stage. No one clapped. I walked out of the hall. The sun was setting. I sat on the steps. I felt like crying. I had waited for this day for so long. Now it felt like nothing. I felt so sad. Then I woke up. My family was there. They hugged me. They were so proud. My graduation was real. I felt so happy."