My diploma

I was crossing the bridge into downtown Orono when I had the epiphany that made my graduation school application inevitable. There was no guarantee that I'd be accepted into the program or complete it. But if I didn't try I'd be haunted by what ifs the rest of my life. I had no idea it would take seven years and include stroke recovery. Thinking back I realize if I'd decided no and taken the kind of job available to a stay at home mom with a gap in work history big enough to drive a big rig through I I probably wouldn't have had such a robust recovery. The program gave me a sense of meaning and purpose, an important goal to work towards, the right balance of challenge and support in achieving it, and a community that was there for me for better and worse. That and the love of my family were what had me working hard from day one instead of being bogged down in depression or 😠 anger.

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