Graduation: A Completion
Jeremy and I have spent several years now in the process of education. It has seemed like a lifetime at times, but we have made it through. For me (Carri) there have been many tears shed over the pressure and deadlines of finishing assignments and big research papers. When I look back I think no big deal, but believe me when I was in the middle of it I wondered many times if I would make it. There was one passage of time in particular that was dreadfully stressful. It was spring term of 2006. The term was going fine, but then a family tragedy struck right in the middle of midterms. I had 5 papers to write and a test to take and my grandpa was in the hospital dying. I traveled to Washington to stay with family during this hard time. We talked about the things we remember most about our grandpa. Here are some of those memories:
- He would always say, “How about them apples?” I always thought he was talking about his apple tree, but it never really made any sense until I found out years later that it is an idiom.
- When my brother, sister, and I would come for a visit he would have a stack of candy for each of us waiting on the dining room counter.
- When we went over to his house we would always watch either one of the original Star Wars Trilogy, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, or Jaws.
In the midst of all this I was away from my husband for the longest time we had ever spent away from each other. I had oodles of homework to catch up on and keep up with. The blessing through all this was that my Professors were very understanding and put no pressure on me to have all my papers done exactly on time. It was a stressful time, but God saw me through.
As I was walking in the graduation procession last Sunday I was thinking of the things I had done and accomplished and the things I never thought I could do in the past. I never thought I would receive my B.S., but I have almost completed it. I am still finishing Precalculus, but I am almost through with that also. God has blessed Jeremy and I continually throughout our marriage and life. We both hope to be a blessing to others as so many have blessed us. How about you? Have you counted your blessings lately even through your stress filled times?
Congratulations! I’m very happy for you both. Its even inspiring; I’ve always struggled with school and I haven’t been able to take classes since 2005. I sometimes think I’ll never get back to school and will never amount to anything more than I am now and it makes me sad. But you have graduated with your B.S., my brother-in law just graduated this month and you know, hearing of your successes gives me hope that one day I too will continue and finish as well. God Bless ya!
Maybe Patrick and I could cook dinner for you two in honor of your achievements, how does that sound?