Monday, June 8, 2009

My Graduation Present To Myself

So, now that I have worked hard for two long years and will be receiving my Master's of Science in Educational Leadership next weekend, I have been thinking about how it might be nice to treat myself for this major accomplishment. Perhaps I could go crazy and get myself the piano I've always wanted. There's a great one that I have on my Amazon Wish List by Casio that I've had my eyes on for the longest time.

Better yet, I can finally upgrade my digital camera to the Nikon Coolpix camera that I've got on the same Amazon Wish List. I'm crazy about digital photography. I'm sure I would love something like that.

Hmmm....but I'm not sure. Another possible graduation gift to myself might include my very own suit. Imagine that. Here I am a graduate student, school teacher, (heck, churchgoer!) and I don't have a single suit to my name. I'll bet that the Men's Wearhouse has just what I need to get myself up and running in my very own suit.

A ha! I could just go crazy and get myself a brand new high-definition TV. LG has a 50-inch plasma set that blew my mind. I cannot even imagine what having something like that in this place would feel like.

All of the above gifts would be great to have for a graduation gift. But I'm not really seeing any of that happen. No, after two long years of schoolwork atop my regular full-time work load, tutoring, and for the past couple of years, umpiring, what I will be able to get myself for graduation is not something from Amazon, Casio, LG, Men's Wearhouse or any other place. First of all, I hardly have any money to consider doing the least of those things. No, I am not thinking about what *material* item I am going to get myself as I reach my goal of a graduate degree.

What I am getting is smarter, higher pay, increased career opportunities, and a better chance to take care of my family. So sure, while I have selfish needs such as the ones described above (i.e.; plasma TV; digital camera) it has been humbling and important to remind myself that any of these additional "things" could never replace what makes me the happiest in life: my family.

I'm thankful for their support of my efforts to continue my education and lucky to have them in my life. Thank you, Kari, Claire, and Will. I think you are all the gift I could ever want to give myself.

Love,
Daddy

ps - Graduation Day is next Saturday. Hallelujah!

No comments: