Graduation!!

Today was my official graduation from Wilfrid Laurier University. I have achieved the degree of Master of Theological Studies. Only Phil was there, but I felt the presence of many others cheering me on who couldn't be present.

It was a huge moment for me. Only one picture from the university ceremony came out. The others are from the smaller ceremony at the seminary.

It meant a lot to graduate with so many great friends from my classes, like Christine and Annabelle. And great to see my loved professors' faces again. I'm going to miss the people, if not the hard work!

James Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario (among many other things), was granted an honorary Doctorate at the university ceremony. In honour of this award, a native elder spoke this prayer:

"Great Creator you have given me my walk, my journey on this earth. I do not know what comes next, and what I have just passed now makes sense to me. You have given me instinct and insight, which helped me on this journey of service to the people, to the family, to the nation, to the earth our Mother, and the universe to which we are constantly connected. You have protected me when I have been hurt and given me the medicines to get through the physical hurt, the mental hurt, the emotional hurt, and the spiritual hurt. And still the vision of my journey was clear and yet unknown."

"I knew my service to creation was not for me, even though people give me recognition. I knew I had a family to teach me purpose for love and for life. My larger family of [humankind] also taught me that "all my relations" included all living things. [Humankind] is set in a relationship with all Creation and dependant on all things for our life. The Seven Sacred Teachings of the Anishnabe people, Love Respect, Courage, Honesty, Humility, Wisdom, and Truth, guide me as I walk through this life I have been given."

Jean Becker, Elder in Residence, Faculty of Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University
and Professor Malcolm Saulis

This seemed symbolic for me too, given all I have been through, and what I continue to face.

It was a huge day for me. Huge.

Here is the group of us from the seminary:

Prof. Lund, Prof. Jorgenson, Prof. Hegedus, Prof. Cutting, Prof. Kelly

Gocia, Holly, Amanda, Annabelle, Me, Jun Gao, Elizabeth

Cindy, Jamie, Michelle, Alma, Christine, Trudy, Prof. Pfrimmer

Clap for us!