Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Thursday's Child Has Far To Go

Last week, Nel received the highest degree that one can get, her Ph.D.!


She finished her dissertation, and it was time for the defense, which is the final stage of the PhD process.  It was a long two and a half hours of presenting her work and answering difficult questions.  After the defense, they sent her outside so they could talk among themselves, and the committee came out, shook her hand, and congratulated her on having earned her PhD.


Even when Nel was little, she used to love to read, and sometimes when I told her, "it's time for bed," she would get a small flashlight and read under the covers for a little while longer.

She has worked so hard through the years and has acquired much knowledge in her field of English Literature during that time.


The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the highest degree you can earn in the world.  Only 1% of the 7 billion people on earth have one.


The whole process from beginning to end took her 16 years - a little longer than normal, but that was because throughout the entire time in grad school, she also worked over 40 hours a week at her job.

 
Nel, I admire your dedication, your determination, and your endurance to finish what you have started, for your teaching skills, for being there for your students, and for making their world a better place for them to live.
 
 
J.W. Waterhouse
 
As your mother, I truly want to thank you and tell you just how wonderful you are.  Who would have thought when you were sitting on my lap here at one year old that you would get your PhD one day?

 
 
 Nel, this is extraordinary.
Today, I honor You!
 
(picture Nel took in Paris)
 
~Sheri



37 comments:

syros2js said...

Oh, that's great!!
Congratulations!!
You are an adorable family!!
Hugs and kisses to all of you!!
♥ ❤ ♥ ❤ ♥

Tessa~ Here there be musing said...

Oh my, what a wonderful, wonderful accomplishment. And what a beautiful person, has achieved it.

She must have so very much satisfaction also.... Because of having worked so hard, while getting it.

Oh Mom, you must be proud! And have every right to be!

Hugs, hugs, hugs, all round!
Tessa

Dee said...

Wow!!! Congrats Nel! That is quite an accomplishment. Sheri, you must be one proud Mama... :)

Woohoo!!!

Susie said...

Oh Sheri, I send congratulations to Nel. What a great honor. She earned it too....the hard way working while studying...that alone makes me know she's dedicated. My daughters work while attending school too. Blessings to all of you. You girls are so pretty, you too mom. :) xoxo,Susie

Dewena said...

Sheri, how absolutely wonderful! Congratulations to Nel. That is a huge accomplishment, and I love that you shared it with us and the story of her hard work while holding down a full time job.

The very best to Nel and her future!

NanaDiana said...

Oh- She is smart AND beautiful!!!! And so were you holding her there! God bless her as she continues on her journey.

My father taught English literature at Penn State years before I was born. I bit my teeth on poetry and the classics. lol xo Diana

Ivy and Elephants said...

What an awesome achievement!!! As a teacher I know how hard it is to work each day and study,too. You have my admiration! Congratulations!
Big hugs,
Patti

Mary Palumbo Collings said...

What a wonderful achievement … Nel should be so proud and so should you Sheri… as I know you are ! Congratulations!
XOXO Mary

Patricia said...

Dear Sheri, this is the most wonderful news. Big congratulations to Nel, but also to you, who raised a wonderful, clever daughter! You must be so proud. xx

Lucy@heart and hearth said...

Congratulations Nel!!
That is an incredible achievement!
Great job Sheri...supporting them in their goals is key I find.

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Sheri,
This is indeed a high achievement and congratulations Nel! As her Mother I know your heart is overflowing with love and a sense of pride. Congratulations to you too, Sheri for being such an outstanding Mom!
Love,
Jemma

TARYTERRE said...

What a special tribute to your daughter. Nel your hard work, dedication and determination, paid off. What an amazing accomplishment. Congratulations.

TARYTERRE said...

PS) The fuzzy white owl is precious.

Anonymous said...

Awww! Thanks so much mom! I truly loved this post. I am so thankful to have such a loving and supportive family who have helped me to accomplish my greatest dream. Thank you for instilling in me a love of stories, creativity, and passion, and for teaching me to have conviction in my beliefs. Love you so much, mother of the new Ph.D.! ( :

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Dear Sheri,
I just know you are bursting with pride.. How exciting..
Nel, you are an amazing young lady.. Bravo!!!
blessings,
Penny

janice15 said...

Sheri thats huge. A big congrats.. Amazing strong young woman what more could you ask for. Nice story with love Janice

Sola Scriptura said...

Congratulations! What an amazing accomplishment. Well done.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Darling friend, it is now taking me longer to get to my favorite blogs, but I DO GET HERE!

I know the glory of obtaining this degree; I saw my husband take 12 years to finish writing his 600 page thesis. When it was all over, he went off to Boston to defend, then in May, we both went back for his graduation ceremony. He ordered an extra graduation hat for ME (I love those floppy velvet hats they wear) and I wore it that night when we went out! The family goes through this process as much as the student, but in different ways. I know you know them!

YOU ARE JUST THE BEST. Wishing you a wonderful day my dear friend. Anita

Antee Gurung said...

congratulations!!! i wish you all the very best.
How amazing is that!
Have a lovely week
Stay in touch
xoxo

P.s New post in my blog

Beauty Follower said...

Big congrats!!!

Happy Easter :)

Unknown said...

A great accomplishment! How proud I know you are. :)

Stephanie said...

What a wonderful accomplishment! Congratulations to dear Nel!

Sweet Sheri, you have a beautiful daughter and you did a lovely job of honoring her.

Hugs to you!

Carla from The River said...

This is beautiful. What a wonderful way to say "I am proud of you" :-)
Congratulations to Nel.

xx oo
Carla

Anonymous said...

oh my gosh, what an accomplishment!!!She is beautiful and clever!!

Celestina Marie said...

Congrats Nel!! What a wonderful accomplishment and you did it. God Bless you in your future and bless you with continued great success.
Lovely post Sheri for your gorgeous, talented and very accomplished Nel!!

Sending hugs your way!
CM

CraveCute said...

Congratulations to Nel! What a great accomplishment! You must be over the moon proud Sheri!

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Congratulations to your beautiful girl - oh a Mother's heart just bursts with pride and wonder to see her child accomplishing something so dear and so hard-won! The dedication and perseverance required is something to be admired! A happy day - and I just love your beautiful photos - a daughter as beautiful as her Mother :) I love the paintings you have chosen...Waterhouse is my very favorite artist. I am so very happy for your Dear Daughter and for you - to see her hard work pay off. I'm sure you had a helping hand in all of it! Hugs xo Karen

Lowcarb team member said...

Sheri ...... absolutely wonderful news you must be so proud.

Well done and congratulations to Nel.

Thanks also for the great selection of photo's / pictures.

Have a brilliant weekend

All the best Jan

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Hi Sheri,
Thanks so much for coming over to relax on the porch.. So happy you enjoyed the roses.
Yes, I have heard of stamp design.
But I thought that is what they do when the cement is poured and not quite set up, or am I thinking of something else?
Great idea!
Enjoy your weekend
fondly,
Penny

handmade by amalia said...

Congratulations, Sheri! How proud you must be!!!
Amalia
xo

LoveT. said...

Congratulation! Great News ,you have a wonderful daughter!

Happy Weekend :)

angie said...

so sweet !!! I love your pictures !!! a nice Sunday wants angie

Unknown said...

Oh Sheri-what a celebratory post for your dedicated, determined, gifted daughter. Congrats to Nel on persevering all these years while working a full time job. This is a huge accomplishment! We are fortunate to have talent such as Nel teaching our students. You must be so proud. I know you've encouraged her at each step of the way. Cheers to you both today!
xx, Heather

Aida said...

Congratulations to Nel and to you too dear Sheri. For you have instilled a foundation in her which lead her to success. What an achievement and honour for her and for your whole family. The world is a better place to live because of teachers like Nel.

Wonderful week ahead!

Anonymous said...

Extraordinary indeed. Congratulations to Nel and to all of you.
xoxo

Rue said...

Congratulations to your beautiful and highly intelligent daughter!

Doreen@foxdenrd said...

Please forgive me Sheri! I thought it was you who had earned the degree, but I see now it is your very beautiful daughter, Congratulations to you both! You have every reason to be proud.