Brilliant Corners

Last week I finally graduated with a Bachelors degree (English Literature, if you can believe that). When I walked across the stage during the University of North Texas commencement ceremony, I finally made that first step into the working world.

Oh, wait. I'm already there!

My first semester at a university (at Michigan State) was in the fall of 1989. There were many starts and stops, degree changes, and school changes in between. I eventually dropped out about 11 years ago and started working full time.

Then, a few years ago, a good friend of mine re-enrolled and began working on his degree again – after an absence almost as long as my own. Slowly but surely, by taking one or two classes a semester, I completed all the classes I needed to complete my degree. So, now, after almost 17 years, I have completed my college education.

It still boggles my mind that it’s finally over. While going back to school I continued to work full time. We had our second child somewhere in the middle of all this, too. This really wouldn’t have been possible without the help and support of my wife, who sometimes didn’t get the breaks she needed when I was at class, or at the coffee shop studying. It was tough at times, but we made it work somehow.

Now, what’s next? Well, that’s the question I'm still asking myself. Stay tuned.