Jamestown

Awwww.... My little niece Elisabeth graduated this weekend! We were all struck with the nostalgia bug when Elisabeth pomped and circumstanced down the aisle of SUU for her diploma. Of course, our pride is indescribable. Our little Beth... the same one who was born when I was a wee little 6th grader... is now a college graduate ready to embark on her own teaching career.

I need a moment.

She and her fellow graduates were given great encouragement by Senator Bob Bennett, who was given an honorary graduate degree. He gave a brief American History lesson and compared for the graduates the early settlers of Jamestown to having their own type of commencement. How they encountered mosquitoes and other miseries and that the first settlement was tantamount to disaster. However, they persevered. The settlements continued, and he listed some: of course Plymouth, the colonies, and so forth. Each group having commencements and facing the unknown. General George Washington, of course, having a commencement of his own and then wanting to turn in his commission as commander in chief of the military -- only not being able to find the congress to do so. The founding of our nation and the constitution. All of these hardships springing forth from these various commencements, especially the tearing of our nation during the Civil War -- the criticism our country's president faced from foreign entities who insisted that this was the fruit of electing a common man and not relying on the aristocracy to lead a nation.

There is no doubt our graduates, my niece being one of them, face many trials in 2010. And Senator Bennett didn't gloss over this fact for them as many speakers might have. However, he directed their attention to the fact that other "graduates" who commenced at other times faced far worse. Finally, he left the graduates with the encouragement to be hopeful and have faith in their God as they leave for Jamestown "wherever it might be."

I am so proud of my niece; obviously I am proud of all my nieces and nephews. Elisabeth has worked hard for all of her many endeavors, and I have always been so impressed by her commitment and her work ethic. I am confident that as she leaves for her Jamestown she will not only settle it, but she will leave her mark there.

I am grateful that we were able to be part of her graduation.