Graduation

At last, after five years of hard work, I am a college graduate with a B.A. in Communication Studies from Indiana University East. Last Friday we travelled back to Richmond, Indiana, so that I could walk in the commencement ceremony. I never had a high school graduation, because 18 years ago I was more interested in a wedding gown than a cap and gown, and since Erick and I were pretty much the class of '96, we convinced our parents that a high school graduation ceremony was not necessary. But this time, it was very important to me to walk in that processional, accept my diploma cover, turn my tassel, and bask in the shower of confetti.

My family showed up late, just as I predicted, right in the middle of the prayer, or should I say, the invocation, in which the dignified preacher gave thanks to God for our intellects. Erick and I had arrived the day before for rehearsal, leaving our children with my parents so they could all come up together. They had planned to leave at 2:00...and posted on Facebook at 2:30 they were leaving...and really left at 3:00. Throw in a detour, a Burger King stop, and having to park five blocks away because of limited parking (which I warned them about the night before), and arriving plenty early as planned just didn't happen.

The ceremony was probably similar to other ceremonies. We all made a big noisy fuss every time the words "Class of 2014" were spoken. The new chancellor was adorably short and could barely see over the podium. I got to wear my honors cords and graduated with highest distinction--a 4.0 GPA along with 15 others with perfect grades out of a class of over 600. We sang the IU song, which I had never heard before and has confusing lyrics (what is Gloriana Frangipana?) and my dad (a Purdue fan) sang a parody of it to himself up there in the rafters where they were sitting.

It was fun, it was crazy, I didn't know hardly anyone since my classes were online. I teared up when they asked us to stand if we couldn't have done it without the love and support of our friends and family, and then asked us to turn and wave to them. They all screamed and shouted for me when I crossed the stage, and they also screamed and shouted for any other graduate that crossed if no one else screamed for them.

And now it's over, and everyone wants to know what I'm going to do with my degree. For now, I'll keep writing for Mighty Strong Girls Magazine. It doesn't pay, but it's something that matters, and I have to do something that matters. I'll keep working at Walmart catching shoplifters, because it's fun and it pays the bills. If I get the job at the Illinois State Police that I interviewed for a few months ago processing FOID cards (that's something you have to have here to be able to buy guns or ammo) I'll do that. And I'll just keep walking with God, day by day, and using my gifts to serve Him the best I can.