My story is about a village.
You know the old adage, it takes a village to raise a child? We go one further. We believe that it takes a village to raise a family, and I am lucky enough to belong to a pretty wonderful village. Many years ago, one of the village members started putting the bug in my ear about going back to school. She took me up to the University and helped me get the ball rolling...the first time. That time didn't work out, but it lead me to the second try, which by now you all know led to me going back to school and finishing my degree. That road was a long one, and the village was always there to help along the way, with ideas, supplies and general support. It made things so much easier for me, and the rest of the family, knowing that we had a support group like the village.
This weekend, was supposed to have been my convocation ceremony. I was supposed to, with thousands of others, be part of a long drawn out convocation, which if the truth be known, I was really looking forward to. But things get in the way, that is the way of life when you are an adult, with adult responsibilities. With a mortgage to pay, and food and clothing for the children and no job in sight, paying the 100+ dollars to apply to graduate, as well as the cost of the ceremony just was not in the cards for me. I told myself, and whoever asked, that it really wasn't important. That I had already done the important part, the achievement of the actual degree. I put my time in, passed my courses and could now say, after 22 years that I was a University graduate. The truth, however was a whole different story.
I wanted to go.
I wanted to sit with all of those other faceless, nameless others, who had also put in the time and sweat, and I wanted to be able to walk across that stage, if only for a moment. It was to have been my moment. One that I worked really long and hard to get to. And it did matter. To me. It didn't matter that Papa was not going to be there, or that neither of my parents seemed to show any interest in my achievement. I didn't do any of it for them. I did it for me, but once again, I was going to lose. This was something that I shared with no one.
But my village?
They knew.
They knew without me saying anything.
This afternoon, in the presence of that village, I had my convocation ceremony. I wore a cap, which had belonged to a village member, I carried flowers from another, and I was draped with a warm wool cape. I walked into the door to the sounds of Pomp and Circumstance playing on iTunes....and I took that walk...in front of and with those that make me who I am.
There was cake and presents, laughter and love.
Today I graduated.
Today I was reminded of what is really important. That it is the little things in life, and those you may not even be aware of that can really make a difference.
As I start this next journey in my life, I know that I can do anything I set my mind to, because of the village that I have standing with me.
Thank-you all.
Good for you Kimby! Brava!
Posted by: Nathan | October 18, 2009 at 08:55 PM
Mazel tov!
Posted by: neurondoc | October 18, 2009 at 09:46 PM
Congratulations Kim!
Posted by: Random Michelle | October 18, 2009 at 09:56 PM
Congraulations, Kimmy, it sounds like a fantastic moment for you!
<3
Posted by: Green Kangaroo | October 18, 2009 at 10:14 PM
OMGoodness! Congratulations! WOOHOO!!!!
Posted by: Keri | October 18, 2009 at 10:51 PM
Congratulations!
And yay good friends! :)
Posted by: MWT | October 19, 2009 at 12:34 AM
Yay graduation. Yay good friends!
Posted by: Vince | October 19, 2009 at 01:54 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: WendyB_09 | October 19, 2009 at 03:42 PM
Kimby, my eyes brimmed when I read this. It's great when people show you they love you without having to say it.
Congratulations on your accomplishment, and on being able to celebrate it with friends.
Posted by: Tom | October 21, 2009 at 10:06 AM
Thank you all so much! I could not ask for better friends...it really does make life so much better when you have people who care :)
Posted by: kim | October 21, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Congratulations, Kim. What a wonderful story - it brought tears to my eyes too.
Congratulations on making it through all the hard work & congratulations on being surrounded by such a wonderful village. Then again, you deserve the best village you can get.
*hugs*
Posted by: Carol Elaine | October 22, 2009 at 09:49 PM
Kimby - that's such a wonderful show of support from the folks who love you most and know you best. Thanks for sharing the story. I am *overjoyed* with happiness for you.
Posted by: Jeri | October 22, 2009 at 10:04 PM
I'm late in saying so but CONGRATS! I'm so proud of you!!! What a wonderful village you have. :)
Posted by: Angela Giles Klocke | October 30, 2009 at 09:15 AM