Done!

I did it! I passed my oral defense and am now Dr. Barnes!

Following is my academy award winning speech:

Eric was my rock during this whole journey. He's been trying to talk me into getting a doctorate since I graduated from WWU back in 1982. When I came home with this wild idea that I was ready, he was immediately on-board...even when I said it would be in Education and there probably wasn't much money in it. :) He wanted me to do it for me. He was there everyday to listen to me ramble on about my latest interesting find, was ready to deal when I thought my head might explode, listened to me whine when I had to miss out on some fun, and to celebrate every time I did well. He is simply the best. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love you, Eric!

Krissy was my partner-in-crime, my roomie-in-Boston, and is only a few months from becoming a Doctor herself. She helped me connect with other ECE folk and shared many a frustration. Steve and Lorri  were a source of constant support, humor, beer, and friendship.  Margaret convinced me that I wasn't too old to chase a Doctorate and supported me every step of the way. She never failed in her enthusiasm and encouragement.

There are many others to thank, including our wonderful sons and my personal mentor, Judy. Judy read every single paper I wrote from the first day to the last (all 162 pages of the last!) She was my code-checker, my supporter, part of my pilot, and my go-to person when I thought I didn't know what I was doing. Again, many, many thanks to Judy!

Web and Riley helped me through one of the most difficult of months - when we left our home of 19 years to move north. I had exactly two days between the end of spring quarter and the beginning of summer quarter, so no time for a move. I was leaving my beloved job at Pierce, all my Puyallup connections, trying to get ready for summer residency in Boston, getting ready to send Riley off to boot camp and oh yeah, trying to pack up and move out and Eric was already living in Mukilteo. I might have had a meltdown or two... Web and Riley carried the day - dealing with the garage sale mess, fixing up my computer issues, and doing anything they could to help. They've been my constant cheering squad through this whole thing - thanks to both of you - love you more than you can know!

There are so many people who encouraged me along the way, I can't possibly name them all.  My Mom and Dad, sisters and brothers, my cousins, my brother-and-sister-in-law, former and current colleagues, and my fellow doctoral students at NEU.  Thanks to all!

 I said last night that it might take a village to raise a child, but it also takes a village to get a doctorate.  Thank you to everyone who helped me along the way!

Almost there...

Less than one week.  Six days till my doctoral thesis oral defense.   By noon on May 15th, I'll know if I passed.  It has been an intense two year-nine month journey.  There were many times I didn't think I would make it this far.  One final hurdle...

Response...

It's kind of hard to think about what to write in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings.  Feels kind of silly to write about little details of life. I think, in the end, that's exactly what we have to do.  We have to keep moving forward, we have to keep living our lives.  We can't let them scare us or intimidate us into shutting down. I went out for a run yesterday and today, and all I could think about was the bombing. I remembered our two years at the race, I remembered running down Boyleston at 5:30 am during my summer residency, I remembered the wonderful, welcoming, solid people of Boston.  We can't let it stop us. We need to live life with joy, we need to be aware of each moment, recognize opportunities to be happy, choose our responses with care.  We need to live life as it comes at us.

My family dealt with a tragedy a few months ago that was splashed all over the news.  It wasn't easy, turning on the TV and seeing our loved one's face unexpectedly,  on every news feed, opening facebook to see pictures everywhere.  I feel anguish for the families in Boston, for what they are going through.  It is simply unbelievable, and it's being played out on a national stage, and they will see it again and again.  It's not easy. It's horrific. I think about them constantly. 

And I remind myself, live!  Notice! Pay attention! Choose happiness! Let anger go. Let it go.  Pay attention to my husband's smile, the sweet sound of the voices of our sons, laugh with my friends, share their sorrows and their joys. Live! Choose life and happiness! I remind myself to look for the good.

So that is what I am doing. It doesn't negate the sadness I feel, it doesn't stop the thoughts from swirling through my head, but it does help me find a balance.  I hope that in choosing to live with intention, I am honoring those whose lives were lost or forever changed.  Life is seldom smooth, instead it is filled with low valleys and high mountains.  It is often said that without the lows, we wouldn't know how sweet the highs are.  But if there is one thing I've learned in running trails, it's that we can find beauty wherever we are, whether we are low or high, if we just look.  Marathon Monday ended in a low, but there was immediate beauty in the heroism, the acts of caring and kindness, that lifted my heart even when I didn't think it could be lifted.  I will look for that beauty every day. I will. I will live with intention.  I will treasure love and laughter, smiles, tears, I will treasure the moments. Life will march forward and I will go with it.