Thankful

And you thought I was only thankful on Thursdays -- ha! 

E and N are in West Lafayette after the long drive from Virginia.  Tomorrow afternoon N will defend his doctoral dissertation.  I know he will make a great presentation and be more than able to answer any questions that his committee will ask. 

It has been a long and challenging journey to reach this point -- some students might have been inclined to give up -- but N has persevered and now he is poised to finish strong as he approaches the finish line.  I know how proud I am of him and I can only imagine how proud his father must be.  I wish his mom was here to express her love and pride and to share in the joy of his accomplishment.  Hopefully, at some point, N will be able to reflect on the role his mother played in nurturing and guiding him to this important moment.

So N, I am thankful for you -- for your determination, integrity, scholarship, and faith.  I am proud to call you my son-in-law and my friend.