On June 17, I became the first member of my family to graduate from college. I worked tirelessly to achieve my goals in education and was honored to graduate magna cum laude from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication with a B.S. in journalism. I was elated to be the first Media to achieve this.

It was an emotional day for me but not because of graduation.

That same morning, as I was surrounded by friends, loved ones and colleagues in Autzen stadium, I found out my mom was in the intensive care unit. She suffered two major strokes hours before my college graduation. These were caused by two large blockages in her aorta. I was celebrating an amazing achievement, proudly representing my family, my late brother, my dad, and of course my mom.

60 miles away, she was struggling to breathe. When she was awake, she didn’t know where she was, who was around her or what was happening. My dad and I talked for a few hours that day. As she was stable, he insisted I stay in Eugene and celebrate this achievement with my friends and loved ones. He let me know how proud she and they both were of me and how most of the weekend she talked about how excited she was for me to get my degree and be the first step of many future Medias to get a college education. He insisted that I attend the School of Journalism and Communication graduation and enjoy the moment where I was the school’s standard-bearer, an accomplishment they were extremely proud of.

It felt selfish to celebrate this capstone while my mom was in the worst medical state of her life. The entire day (and now over a week since) I felt horrible. How could I find joy in anything knowing she was experiencing so much sorrow? I felt like an abominable son.

Many conversations with my dad later and I feel better about sharing the news of my graduation and all I achieved at the University of Oregon. Not because I want or desire praise but because of what it means to my parents.

Two people who never made it through K-12. Two people who worked factory jobs and warehouse jobs until their bodies broke. Two people who never called in sick or took time off because they couldn’t afford it while providing for a family of six. Two people who can now say, with pride and joy, that their youngest is a college graduate.

My successes during my college career were impart because of the drive and determination I saw my parents give while I was growing up. To graduate magna cum laude while working, on average, four-plus campus jobs, being involved in clubs and activities, being the sole provider for a family of three, being a father, a husband, a brother, a friend and a son. The foundation my parents provided me is a huge part of my character and how I did what I did while in school.

My mom is struggling with dementia and forgets who I am still, however, when she does remember and remembers that I did get that degree we talked about, she always sheds tears. To not celebrate my degree would be a disservice to her and her fighting spirit.

She’s still in the hospital and has a long road of recovery ahead. She still needs to have open-heart surgery to bypass the two blockages in her aorta. She’s still in danger of more strokes in the future. However, she’s one of the toughest people I’ve ever known and I can confidently say she’ll put up one helluva fight. I also know how proud she is of her “baby” and would be shouting on the rooftops to tell people about my graduation.

I may be the first Media to obtain a degree but I wouldn’t have done it without the family around me. I’m thrilled to be a University of Oregon alum and proud to say my mom is the parent of a college graduate.