Graduation Eve

So here it is, my last post before I receive my doctorate of occupational therapy. It’s hard to believe that just a few years ago I was working on my MBA, when suddenly my eyes were opened to OT by a very special therapist that I was volunteering with at the Chamber of Commerce. It took me only a few days of consideration until I stopped dead in my tracks, dropped out of the MBA program and applied for Belmont.

I am incredibly lucky to have a super supportive husband and family. Because of their constant support, love and sacrifice I’ve accomplished something that many never thought was possible. And I guess for all you naysayers and haters out there all I can say is, Thanks for not believing in me and making fun of me because it makes days like today and tomorrow that much sweeter.

I’m not going to say the past 3 years have been easy, because they weren’t… I can say that some days it felt as though the program would never end and other days I was shocked at how quickly the semester would come to an end.

So I’m sure you all are wondering what kind of plans I have for this amazing weekend. Today we had a graduation rehearsal, a luncheon with some of my favorite ladies at SATCO and then we did a NBCOT review class, which was discouraging to say the least. Tonight, I got a super sweet gift from Jason, which was a book titled “The Little Book of You & Me”. I’m such a sucker for handmade things but I also love all drawings…even stick figures. I wish I could Scan it in and share it but alas I’ll keep it to myself and enjoy not only the amazing history we share but also the fact that he still knows how to make me feel incredibly special. I was kind of down when I heard my nephew wasn’t going to come to graduation but now it sounds like that has changed….and well either way I got an amazing gift now to make up for it.

Tomorrow will be a super long day…. The drive up to Belmont takes about an hour and a half and our hooding ceremony begins at 11:30. This is where the slideshow I made will be showed which I’m very excited about sharing. Then at 2 is graduation… I am a bit disappointed in the way it is being handled… we’re the last ones graduating instead of the first?! And the way it was set up we are the ONLY doctorates being awards. So basically even though we’re the highest degree being given we have to wait until last!? Everyone will be all bitchy by the time we get up there…. Oh well at least they got my name right today at rehearsal. Following gradation I’ve arranged for some family photos and dinner at Steak and Shake. Yep, Steak and Shake. I have great memories from Steak and Shake and I don’t see a reason to spend a ton of money… and I think the pictures will turn out super cute. : )Hopefully we’ll get to take a quick nap and then we’ll be going out to celebrate one last time with my OTD ladies around 9 or 10.  I still don’t know what I’m going to wear to that.. but if it’s still gross and raining it may be jeans and a t-shirt.

It’s really a surreal moment in my life... I can’t believe I'm done and I’m not going to see these 25 – 31 ladies that I have spent the past 3 years with. Something I absolutely LOVED about this program is my classmates. I don’t really know how we all fit together so well but we really did. I can say that I love every single one of them and I absolutely love that  if we were in highschool the majority of us wouldn’t have even wanted a locker next to each other.  I can’t say this enough, but these ladies are my family and I will not forget them or the amazing times we had together. I’m honestly hoping that we’ll all stay in contact and continue to support one another as we start our lives as OT’s. I hope to continue to be there through each of their big life events and hope they will continue to be there for mine.  I wrote something to go with my slideshow and if you happen to be one of these ladies I’m raving about I hope you’ll wait and see the  slideshow…  but if aren't one or you can’t wait, go ahead and read it but before you go on... I have to say one more thank. Thank you! I thank every single person that has been apart of my life, has helped shape who I am and I hope you know that the love you've showed me with continue being shared with my future clients. I love you!!

Once upon a time 31 ladies from all over the country met up at Belmont to become the best OT’s the would had ever seen.

Before we knew it we weren’t just classmates we were a family.

We supported each other through the good and the bad.

We welcomed 2 babies.

We grieved with the loss of loved ones.

We rejoiced with engagements and marriages.

We elected a new president.

We learned the importance of Google.

We learned no one can agree on origins, insertions and actions of muscles.

We explored the wondrous powers of powerpoint.

We laughed till we cried.

We learned about “Connie Trast”.

We made things.

We celebrated Birthdays and Holidays.

And we Danced.

We stressed out.

We played.

We carried very heavy Pedretti books.

We added too much baking soda to cookies.

We dreamed.

We wiped each other tears.

And before we knew it was time to say goodbye.

We came into this program as 31 women and today we’re leaving as 25 of the best clinical doctors of occupational therapy TN has ever seen!