Graduation Day and Christmas Reflections

In the midst of the hectic frenzy that is Christmas, Thursday was a day of relaxed ceremony and celebration. After the studying struggles of this year, it was fantastic to finally put on the robes of a Master of Science and walk across the stage to receive my scroll.

I read a letter a few days ago from a friend in Africa who has recently also finished her Masters, and she was bemoaning the fact that receiving a qualification when you were older lacked all the excitment of those of your youth such as 11+ or GCSEs. Personally though, I have to disagree.

For me, the sense of satisfaction with my MSc distinction feels quite intense and profound. Having lived a lifetime when those small voices in my head have always said I was crap at science, "...stick to the arts - leave science to your brother...he's good at science..." I have now proved to myself, that whilst I'm no genius in that area, I am certainly no failure either. Its a good feeling.

So now it is the weekend before Christmas, and I can't wait. On Christmas Eve I head home to mum and dads. This year is special for us as a family I think, because mum has been so ill since September. Now, even though she is recovering well, the lack of her presence as a daily anchor in our midst has changed the family dynamic somewhat over the last few months. It is no bad thing - through strife we are closer, stronger - reminded of how much we love one another. Its good to be reminded.