2.10.2011

Because You are a Captive Audience...

...and because I can't unveil this to anyone in "real" life yet, I would like to share with you my dissertation dedication page. I will be done in May, and even though it is not complete at this moment, laying in bed this morning this dedication page started coming to me and I had to put it down on paper.  I am sure it needs to be cleaned up a bit, but this was my first shot and I have to admit I really like how it came out.

For those of you who don't know, I started this program EIGHT long years ago.  I applied before I met my husband even.  We started dating just before I received my acceptance.  I had my faith conversion during this program.  We found out about IF before we were married, during this program.  I got engaged just prior to my hormone series, during this program, and planned a wedding in six months during this program.  I took two weeks off this program to go to Omaha for my surgeries and initial diagnostics with Dr. Hilgers.  I have had two D&Cs, two laparoscopies, two miscarriages, and delivered two babies, all during this program.  This program taken a lot longer than initially anticipated, but when I look back I can't believe I did it at all in such a short time!  The idea of the end being in sight brings me to tears quite easily.  So, without further ado....

This dissertation is not my own, but belongs to so many wonderful people.
Specifically, I would like to acknowledge:
My advisor, X, who is as much a patient person as he is brilliant and ground breaking.
X, who is as gentle as they come, yet a fierce advocate for children and disabilities.
My friends, coworkers, and mentors, especially X who brought me into the world of systems change, and treated me like an equal; thank you for letting me soak up your wisdom (and for teaching me to love coffee when I needed it most!);
X, who gave me more than one pep talk along the way about what was truly important in life;
X, because you are my “person,”
and X, who was the first to instill this passion in me and whom I have been able to share every important milestone in life with; I am glad this dissertation was no exception.
To X and X, two hidden treasures in the University I am grateful to have discovered along the way.
To my husband who has been there with me through it all, from getting into the program, to its completion, and every tuition payment in between.
To my family, who always put education first from the beginning and gave everything they had to that end, especially their time and encouragement.
To God, because with Him all things are possible,
And to my four children conceived during this program-two in heaven, two on earth. Because some things are too important to put off, and because Mom will always be my favorite title.

13 comments:

Katie @ Persevere in Prayer said...

Beautiful! Especially love the last line :)

Lisa said...

I love it! I may try to steal that last line for my thesis, once I get back to work on that...

Little JoAnn said...

so beautiful...the best Masters are those in which life interupts and then becomes part of the thesis

Nicole C said...

Wow...eight years!! That's some commitment! I can barely stay with something for 8 minutes!

JoAnna Wahlund said...

beautiful!

Karen said...

This is beautiful! The last line is the best!

Lauren @ Magnify the Lord with Me said...

beautiful! Congratulations!

Sissy said...

I like what you've written and it is beautifully done. Good job.

JellyBelly said...

Beautifully written! You're almost at the end of such a wonderful accomplishment!!!

... said...

Love it!

Jill said...

That totally made me teary-eyed! Especially the last part :)

Awaiting a Child of God:) said...

Don't you feel like you just conquered the world!!!! YAY!!!! LOVE!

WheelbarrowRider said...

Awaiting-not until the it is totally done. Right now it feels like it is conquering me most days :)