Sacrifice and Rewards...Beginnings and Endings

 Today we had a chance to celebrate Lady Hiva and her accomplishments. She walked with her Master's Degree in Molecular Biology from the College of Veteranary Medicine at Washington State University. 

She was actually done  in April, but this was the first in-person graduation they have held since the Pandemic started. We made plans to go a few month ago. As the day grew closer there were so many reasons to not go. But I told her there will always be more church Christmas parties, always more piano recitals, always more tasks to do...but you don't have the opportunity to graduate with a Master's degree everyday.  

After all, as we heard in the ceremony, graduating with a Master's makes her one of the top 15% most educated of all the people in the world. 

So we came! This was the culmination of sleepless nights, hours of study and so much sacrifice. She was unsure if she could do it...not only did she do it, she killed it! She finished her degree in just over 1 year. And during that time she was still mom, still the Primary President at Church, a wife, and worked full-time.

She always wished her dad would see this day. Where he couldn't be here, she brought him along. 

These kids are so excited and supportive. Koala Bear would bring Lady Hiva food and water while she was studying. Lucky Dragon would give her notes of love and affirmation to have on her desk. 

They were so happy to see her graduate and give her leis. I was grateful that they could see their mom sacrifice and do something hard. They saw her work for something. They saw her become better. They saw her find ways to love and serve others even when She, herself, was busy.  A true hero. 

We brought leis home from Hawaii. And bought some flowers here in Pullman to give her. 

We are so glad we came. We had to brave a 10 hour drive each way...in the dark...in the snow...almost hit a deer...sometimes could not see in front of us...didn't sleep much. But it was WORTH it! We can let Lady Hiva know how much she means to us!

Congratulations, Lady Hiva! You are amazing