In June 2024, I graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree in Adult Education, with distinction, from Brock University. While I learned a lot in the school part, here are 3 things I learned at my convocation ceremony:
1. Grief will hit you when you least expect it. Tears streamed down my cheeks for most of the ceremony while I thought about that one paper I wrote on July 5th, 2023 from the London hospital. I was there with my brother Jon, who had just received his terminal diagnosis. Yesterday, I was missing him so much, yet grateful for his guidance as a professional writer and big brother.
2. The promise, hope, and opportunity you see in and for your children, is a reflection of what you see for yourself. This is a hard one for me. But after I got my degree, my 10-year-old daughter Libby came into the aisle to take my photo. I stopped to hug her so tight, more tears. I am learning that while she has so many opportunities to be whatever she desires, so do I. That wasn't always the case for me, but it is now. I'm living my best damn life and helping so many others do the same.
3. Bait and Tackle stores provide opportunities. I go fishing, I enjoy it, but I don't need to spend an hour in a tackle store. On our drive home yesterday, Steve wanted to stop at a famous tackle store in Grimsby. I walked in, pretended to be interested for half a minute, and then said, take all the time you need, I'm going for a walk! I went for a 45 walk in the hot sun and fresh lakeside air. It was beautiful. It gave me time to reflect on my day, time to breath, and most importantly time to move my body. And Steve and Libby were so happy to have time to shop!
I came home after all of this and had a nice long nap. It was a big day and I respected my body's need for rest. And now I have another degree! My first was an Honours Degree in Chemistry from the U of G, way back in 2001. My third will likely be a Master's Degree in Leadership, sometime in the next 2-3 years.
The point of all of this is that we can set big goals for ourselves, and have fun achieving them, as long as we are open to learning way more than we ever expected. All the work to get my degree was worth it to have such an incredible experience yesterday. Thank you Steve and Libby for coming along, and Frank and Charlie for supporting me from afar.
If you're ready to set a goal and get after it, click here.