It’s a big week in the Keller home. Soon one of us will be a Master!
(No not a Jedi, but close…)
My husband Tim graduates this week from Talbot Seminary with an MA in Theology. It’s been six years of late nights, endless papers, and many many nights with no daddy at dinner. (Wah Wah Wah)
When Tim walks on Friday afternoon-in his black cap and gown decorated with honors-it will be a glorious sight to behold. I am proud beyond words (and yes, a wee bit weary, can I say that too?).
My husband stood at the top of the stairs this morning and mentioned he felt guilty for celebrating. With everything going on with my parents right now he felt lousy throwing a party and making a fuss. And more than anything he wished they could be there by his side.
But I interupted him and said “Stop, don’t go there”
“Tim, we will celebrate you.”
We will celebrate the good in spite of the bad. I will clap and whoop and holler “Keller” super loud and obnoxiously (in honor of your friend Bill who passed away) and I will laugh when people squirm in their seats.
I will wear a big cheesy grin (and maybe your favorite color orange) because of this awesome achievement.
We did it! (And yes I take a little credit for the degree because it takes a family and oh yeah, I edited a few papers…)
I will raise my glass of wine (or two) and toast to your accomplishment. I will laugh and be happy, and for a time allow myself to just be Tim’s wife and not a grieving daughter.
We will celebrate you with gusto, baby!
I don’t know that I used to think this way. I used to have good days and bad days. It was all so black and white. But, life changed in the blink of an eye. Everything has intensified, as if my world went from black and white to pops of vibrant color and shades of midnight.
I see differently now–HD versus a grainy screen.
I pass through a windy stretch of mountains when I drive home from visting my parents–one through the Ortega and the other from Beaumont into Moreno Valley. Both passes are breathtaking by day but treacherous at night. I’m always a little scared driving through but the reward is worth the fear and I promise myself a Starbucks on the other side.
I’ve clocked more than my fair share of miles recently traveling back and forth to oncologists and nuerolgists. These vists are always depressing with no cures and more bad news. Often I’ll cry and let it all go on the road but I wipe up my tears before the mountains come.
I know I need to focus. As the darkness decends my sight must be all the more keener. I have to watch out for the semi-trucks and stupid deer and obstacles in the road–all things I can see in the light, but the night distrorts and plays tricks with.
It’s true of the mountain pass and true of our lives right now.
My mom put it this way about her cancer, “everything’s the same, but everything’s different.”
And she’s right.
Which is why I want my husband to revel in the moment and celebrate. To not look behind or beyond but just to enjoy the fruits of his hard work.
Because the image of Tim in his cap and gown on his big day just might be the thing to help me find my smile and my way home through the mountains on a gloomy evening.
He’ll be a Master now, kinda the same…but different.
