Congratulations

This past Friday, we had the privilege of watching our older daughter graduate from the University of Nebraska- Kearney with her graduate degree. She earned her Masters of Business Administration degree.

It was a summer graduation ceremony. It was a nice ceremony for all the summer graduates at UNK. They held the ceremony in the Ponderosa room. There were speakers, presentations of the hoods and diplomas and there was a nice lunch afterwards right outside the Student Union. It was fitting we were able to pull up a couple of picnic tables under the shade of the football scoreboard and enjoy lunch with the family and friends who attended to help celebrate the occasion.

This is the third graduation for her in the last five years. She graduated from Republican Valley High School five years ago. She earned her Bachelor degree in Business with an accounting emphasis last year from UNK. This last school year, she worked full time and went to graduate school full time. She was also a newlywed. (Makes me just tired typing that.)

Thankfully, she has always been very goal oriented and knew this all would take a great deal of focus. It wasn't without sacrificing some of the 'fun' that some of her college friends were having. However, like I kept telling her - the tassel was worth the hassle. (Saw that on a greeting card actually - but it was appropriate.)

Now, it is on to the bigger share of life. Life after the toils of the classroom, textbooks, reports, papers, and group projects. Life after the on-line classes and all the deadlines. Now, it is time for her to catch her breath and start to enjoy more of each day - even if it means adjusting to the big city commute to and from work.

Learn to enjoy the portions of the day that used to belong to the formal education process. It isn't as though the learning stops. Oh, learning should be a daily adventure. For the time being, make some time to enjoy learning when and where you want to

Take the time to smell those flowers, dance that dance, sing those silly songs, play those games, read for the sheer enjoyment of reading something you want to, or watch that extra late night show or movie. You have earned the some time for fun and remember, the best is yet to be.

Congratulations!!