This week is the
week I was supposed to walk and go through graduation. From my time of
acceptance at USC in the spring of 2006, I was looking forward to May 14, 2010,
when I would become a graduate and alum of the University of Southern
California. My plans, though, didn’t match up with God’s, and so last fall I
found myself applying for and being accepted on the World Race, departing in 3
months from my acceptance date. This meant no graduation ceremony, but I
thought I would be okay with that. At training camp, I struggled with the idea
of missing the ceremony, but was assured by multiple people that it was boring,
overrated, and the World Race/following after my heart and God’s calling on my
life in this season was much better.
Sometime in that
period, I saw in my mind’s eye a girl handing me a diploma and my WR team
celebrating my graduation. In this vision, if you will, we were in Thailand (though we were scheduled
to be in Cambodia), and it was women’s month (even though we should have been
in Cambodia.)
I woke up, really sad that I would missing graduation. I had a dream about
graduation and was sad to be missing it. I went to the coffee shop and got to
talk to a lot of people, all of whom reassured me that I was where I needed to
be, and graduation was just one day. I accepted this, and was getting over it.
Last night, after dinner we were told to get ready and look nice. I saw Leyna
had her camera so I thought maybe we were doing a photo shoot or something. In
my heart, I really hoped (against all hope) that it might be a graduation
celebration for me, but I talked myself out of it, and told myself not to cry
when that wasn’t what it was.
downstairs and Nicole and Cat were waiting for me. Someone hit play and the
notes of Pomp & Circumstance overwhelmed me. I began to cry. I entered the
chapel and was handed a cap and gown. I proceeded down the aisle, tears
streaming down my face. I couldn’t believe it. It was so special and beautiful
and all for me.
Kathryn and Megan
gave amazing speeches-check out the VERY long video for more-and Lindsey handed
me a diploma Leyna made. I even turned my tassel, signifying my status as
graduate. It was awesome. I felt so loved and cared for. I had never had a
surprise birthday before, so to have a surprise graduation, in the middle of
Thailand, was great. It may not have been May 14, and it certainly wasn’t the
hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, but it was a very special celebration, very
personalized and short, (plus the Trojan Marching Band didn’t play-you would’ve
liked it, Dad).
Team Again for the First Time. I will never forget my college graduation, at the
USC Thailand extension ceremony.
