Graduation: I Am Certified!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Why did I think leaving at 9 a.m. was enough time to get to Wendell State Forest by 9:30? Directions say it's about 20 miles beyond GCC yet it never seemed that far whenever we traveled Route 2. Russ called and was leaving about the same time. Anne, Char, and I headed up the highway and got there about 20 minutes late. I called Beth to let her know, for the last time, that I was running late. Actually, I was usually at class early. Trips were my downfall. She was still on the road herself having run into paperwork problems. Austin and Sean were at the forest since 8 a.m. I apologized to Jen and Kristi who had put lots of time and energy into planning the event. Jen was surprisingly calm about it. "Other people just got here. Don't worry." Oh, relief. Didn't expect that.

Introductions around; meet other people's family and friends, introduce my own. I was happy to see that all the adjunct faculty made it; even Evan hauled down from northern VT. Austin announced tech issues with getting the slide-show playing. Jen had put it together and it will be a keepsake. We moved on from that to playing the song that Sarah Maney wrote and produced. Couldn't get that going either.

Okay, so we move on to the ceremony, starting with Katee H reading a speech she had written. Confirms the thoughtful nature that I noticed on the Racquette River so long ago in September. She also mentioned Eileen "breaking her ass." Next, distribution of certificates, noting the specialized certs we may have earned, and saying something about individuals. Faculty took turns introducing and handing out certificates. No telling what order but eventually Evan called my name. I wish I could remember the sweet things he had to say about me. I remember the word courage but that's pretty much it. OLP certifies us in several aspects. Additionally, professional organizations test and certify us. I am certified as:

Backcountry: OLP L1 Head (would have had Level 2 but my skiing accident meant I couldn't go on the winter trip. L2 includes winter season.)
Environmental Ethics: LNT (Leave No Trace) Trainer
Challenge Course: OLP L1
Rock Climbing: OLP Assistant
Canoeing: ACA L2 ERC Tandem   (American Canoe Association Level 2 tandem canoe; can't find terminology in the manual to explain ERC)
Sea Kayaking: ACA L2 EKT (American Canoe Association Level 2 (can't find terminology in the manual to explain EKT)
Nordic Skiing: OLP Assistant (couldn't finish the course because of my skiing injury)

Then Russ and Mary took turns saying something like friends and family were encouraged to do. Again, I wish I had a recording because I can't recall too much of what they said. Russ referenced the initial concern family had but that he was proud of what I did and that I gave him an appreciation of taking a risk when you are unhappy so that you don't maintain the mediocrity. Mary, knowing me since childhood, said that my sisters and brothers found a new reference for who I am as a person. They knew me as a child, knew me as a mother to their nephews, but have a new appreciation for me as someone who took on an unusual challenge. I felt happy to hear their thoughts and sentiments. We all had a student speak about us and Laura had my name. I think she said that when things become tough, she would remember me and know she can get through whatever trouble she has. Tried to absorb the statements and testimony.

When it was Ian's turn, I had his name and read something about him that I had written on my blog. Students who were afraid that their parents might embarrass them with what they had to say were, I think, relieved that comments were kept to a minimum and without tears, though close. Ah, parents.

Someone got the tech figured out and Austin moved his car closer and played Sarah's song on his stereo so we could hear. It was hard to catch most of it and Sarah was having none of lip-syncing or playing it live. I think she said we can hear it on her Facebook. And, someone got Jen's slide show playing. We all received a DVD of the slide show and a T-Shirt for which Jen's mom designed the picture on the back depicting Outdoor Leadership kinds of adventures. Pretty nice.

Then we lunched on the food we all brought followed by some of us canoeing on the pond. No repeat of the Great Blue Heron that our family saw fly out of the woods on a prehistoric-like flight in the '70s. We'd never seen one before. What I also missed seeing was Mikey edge the canoe to show his family what he can do--followed by a neat capsize. I might have paid money for that entertainment! I think Evan may have witnessed the aftermath--priceless. He'll never let Mikey live it down.

Russ left to get back to work. Said good-bye to most people though some had left without ceremony. Drove home with Anne and Char, all of us fading but reviewing the day. I was grateful to have them with me, both supportive in their own rites, Char instrumental in my decision to move forward. Marc reportedly is having a thing tonight. I'm happy to go to the People's Pint and meet Beth and anyone else who shows up. . .if I don't crash before that. Herein lies both the beauty and the bane of Facebook. Quick checks and pokes to see what's up with people. . . no major investment in time or concern. . . hopefully I'll learn the ins and outs of it sometime soon.

Several guests asked me what's next. "That's the million dollar question," I replied.