Graduation

To every beginning comes an end, and four years after starting University, I have reached the end to this particular path in my life. I've never been one for goodbyes. I kind of wave, give a hug, maybe a card or present, and then kind of run away. I don't like crying. And so went all of my goodbyes to each of my friends and professors. I gave them a smile and a hug and then ran away. Yet this time, I really did realize how very much I'd fallen in love with the town and the people in it as I reached its borders, stopped in at the Tim Hortons just before entering the highway, and then broke down into tears. A fair embarassment, as I had already ordered my coffee, and the customer service people ended up handing it to me while tears were running down my face. It was more or less like, "Here's your coff.... Ohhhhhh." And then I ran away as per usual, back into the hiding of my car.

I guess this whole prelude is to say that it's going to be a challenge being away from those people and places that have been home to me for the past four years. And if anyone whose been part of that journey with me reads this, know that you have really impacted me and my life. I went in a youngster and came out an adult. I know who I am now, and I'm happy. I think that, even if my grades themselves had suffered, the feeling of "wholeness" that I've come out the other side with is enough.

God's been really good to me, and I'm overwhelmed by how He brought to me just the people that I needed to learn, to be challenged, to persevere, to fail, to get back up again. People who have been role models to me, and people who have supported me and challenged me to be a better person, to find a sense of completeness and satisfaction in myself, to find strength, courage, and determination for a good cause. I could not have done it without you. And I mean that - a leader is nothing without a thousand other people behind her or him. No one's life is built on their own strength, but on the support, motivation, leadership, counsel, and guidance of many many others. Thank-you to everyone who's been there for me throughout.

Now I am off to a new journey, and who knows where this will lead. I can only hope that I can continue to find the kind of love, support, hope, and guidance that people have given me over the past four years. Hugs to all.