A Solitary Journey but Surrounded by an Army of Encouragement

As I was completing my dissertation I was writing the acknowledgements for the beginning of the document.  I reflected on the fact that a journey for a doctorate is a lonely, individual journey but also it is a journey that cannot be completed without lots of help and support. 

During the final few months of researching, data analysis and writing my dissertation I worked for hours alone.  It was painstaking work making sure citations were correct, drawing conclusions and providing analysis for all my research findings.  Yet during that time of spending hours on my own, immersed in research results I felt the encouragement and support of so many people. 

One day a package appeared on my front porch left there by UPS.  When I opened it there was a coffee mug from my sister-in-law, Marty. 

I was so excited to receive this gift.  It reminded me that other people who I loved also cared for my progress and were cheering me on.  This gift has resided on my work table where all my research was stacked as I was writing.  I will cherish it as a reminder of the support I received through this process.

Then at a particularly difficult time when I was struggling to meet editing deadlines my sister, Janine, sent me a card of encouragement.  One of her statements was "this is your time.  Own this time and know you will succeed."  I carried that statement in my heart and repeated it as I was driving to my dissertation defense with my committee.  Again, I realized that my journey was a solitary one yet what sustained me was the encouragement of those people who loved me. 

Finally on the Friday before my dissertation defense on the following Monday I received this delivery:

It's a floral arrangement from my sisters with a card telling me that they were proud of me and wishing me all the best.  Again, it meant so much to me that they were cheering me on.

Now as my dissertation is winding its way through the list of entities who must approve it and sign off I am focused on graduation.  This journey would not have been possible but for the support of my family, my husband, my employer and my doctoral committee chair.  Each of those people were there in my journey at exactly the right time to encourage me and help me over my feelings of insecurity and inadequacy.  I am forever grateful.  

Now What? My Post Doctorate Bucket List!

For the last, almost seven, years I have been focused on one goal.  I was a doctoral student working on an Ed.D at Ball State University.  I took classes, both online and face-to-face.  I spent time writing papers, keeping journals and producing academic output (more papers).  I have developed an idea for my dissertation.  I successfully completed my dissertation proposal, completed the research and wrote up the results.  Last week I presented my dissertation research to my doctoral committee and it was accepted and approved. 

Yesterday I uploaded my revised dissertation to the graduate school.  The completion of that with the submission of all the required signatures have me on target to graduate with my doctorate in December of this year.  My cap, gown and hood are all ordered and I am ready to finish this goal I set over seven years ago! 

Now what?  People keep asking me what I am going to do with my time?  To be honest, I don't know.  It is a little bit of a let down after uploading my dissertation.  It's just amazing that years of work come down to pressing the "submit" button on my computer. 

I have jokingly referred to my post doctorate "bucket list" with my friends.  I plan to catch up on my non-academic reading.  My Kindle is overloaded with books I want to read.  I also plan to clean my house.  Finally I plan to get back to all the craft projects that have been waiting for me for years. I have half finished afghans to complete and a list of quilts that are waiting for me. 

First of all I am going to the Fabulous Food Show with my sister-in-law.  She offered me this trip and the timing was perfect.  All I am doing now is waiting for graduation.  So we are off to an adventure to immerse ourselves in all things food, and see demonstrations by chefs Tyler Florence and Michael Symon.  I can't wait!  New tastes, new cooking toys, an entire weekend of food and cooking.  I'm sure it will be a wonderful adventure.