Should I be forced...

[Traci Reed]

to walk at the commencement ceremony for my AA?

Back Story: I'm receiving 2 AAs next week from the local community college and they have a commencement ceremony where you can walk and receive your AA like a high school graduation.

My opinion? I think that for me, walking would be stupid since I don't feel like I'm done with school yet and haven't reached the magical "BA" status.

According to my mother, however, if I don't walk, it means I have no self worth and that the last 3 years I spent earning an AA means nothing to me. Which is ridiculous and couldn't be further from the truth, I just don't feel that walking across a stage in front of a bunch of strangers 9 months pregnant getting my AA at 26 years old is necessary.

But, then she pulls out the tears and now I feel guilty, like I should be doing it for her even though I would feel incredibly stupid.

WWYD? Isn't a commencement ceremony (whether or not I choose to do it) for me? Why is it about her? I'm not telling her we can't celebrate in some other way, just that I don't want to do that, am I wrong?