Graduation

On Saturday I walked in the School of Social Works Graduation Ceremony!  I decided not to walk in the big one PSU puts on-- there are over 5000 graduates this years.  Oldest one 77, youngest 16.  WOW!  I had the chance to see my sister in law graduate a number of years ago and it was a long ceremony.  I loved it-- but I also didn't want to subject my children to that, so when the shorter version was available, I decide that was a better for me and my family. 

And it was perfect.  For them.  For me.  We had two speakers from our faculty.  We had two student speakers.  They said exactly what I needed to hear.  I have worked hard to get here.  I got here thanks to the support of my family, friends, extended networks.  I also accomplished this on my own.  It is my achievement that no one can ever take away from me. 

I got the kids up, and two out of three of them were compliant.  The 11 year old didn't want to go.  She told me she has spent enough time supporting me and didn't feel it was necessary to go to the graduation ceremony.  I was very calm and told her she had 5 minutes, or she was going in her nightgown.  She ended up coming downstairs dressed in about 4.  Of course, there was no smile on her face, quite the opposite, but I was trying not to let her get me down. 

We drove into Portland and parked in my usual parking spot and walked over to the Stott building.  I left my family there and went over to Hoffman hall to meet up with the rest of the SSW and CFS graduates for pictures.  After pictures we went back to Stott and went into the downstairs gym and lined up, waiting for our turn to walk.

Before we walked Ben Anderson Nathe, the Child and Family Studies program director, told us that only 38% of American's have their Bachelors Degree.  He told us this to tell us, no one should tell us we need to go on and get our Masters Degree, because we are simply amazing for having achieved this.  Thinking about this made me tear up and I think I started feeling the magnitude of my accomplishment. 

As we filed into the main gym, walking to the graduation tune, families were on all sides of us and were cheering us on.  My arms had goosebumps and the hairs stood on end.  My stomach felt excited and I was feeling pure joy.  Again, tears in my eyes that I was here and experiencing this.  I looked over and saw my children looking at me, two out of three smiling at me, and my sweetheart Darren cheering me on.  It felt so good and happy.  I was thrilled.  I am thrilled.  I can do hard things.