I'm done! After five years, I've completed my doctoral hobby. I now have an Ed.D., which is a doctorate in Education.
I'm proud of my family for getting through this process together. I am so grateful to have the love, support, and wonderfully distracting energy that came from being a wife/mother and completing a graduate degree. While I enjoyed the academics -- courses about interesting topics, reading fascinating research, and writing papers that eventually turned into grants -- I realize it was challenging for Joshua and the kids at times. I'm a lucky gal to have them in my corner.
My defense day was great: I defended my dissertation in the morning online via Zoom with just my three committee members, opened a box of joy from Joshua and the kids (streamers, balloons, candy, and my new favorite mug), went to my afternoon work meetings, went home to several bouquets of flowers from family supporters, had a scooter-run with James, and then enjoyed a typical evening of dinner with my lovely family. While it would have been fun to defend in public and with my family present, it was much less pressure to do it privately and as just another component of my day. Joshua and the kids made it feel special. James did ask, "Why are so many people sending flowers? Is this a big deal?" When I told him it was a five-year process, he was surprised that I had been doing this for half his life. To him, this is just what his mother does, which I thought was pretty neat.
Here is a glimpse into how I wrote some of my doctoral class papers or dissertation chapters. I will always remember how James was beginning to read when I began my doctoral studies; he would sit with me and "read" my papers by saying the words he could read as I typed. It sounds like this: "will was to it and ...." Not distracting at all -- ha! I've also been working from a completely messy desk in our bedroom (since the pandemic began) and distracting myself during stressful times by painting walls.
Oddly enough, I feel slightly sad to have this chapter in my life done. I really enjoyed being a student. Luckily, as a grant writer, I basically write papers for a living (or encourage others through the writing process might be a more accurate description of my work). Also, with a degree, I can continue to research and publish. Since I began my undergrad program in 1997, my master's in 2007, and my doctorate in 2017, I'll have to figure out the next degree to begin in 2027 ... just five years away. Maybe a captain's license? Maybe I'll consider going for a Ph.D. when the children are older (don't tell Josh!).
One last thought: I didn't really consider that my name would change. Classmates have always told me how excited they would be to become "Doctor Whatever," and I would demur because that wasn't why I was completing the degree. Now that I'm here (on the other side of the process), I still cannot relate. It feels weird to me ... maybe weird because I didn't think about it much, and now it's "sprung" upon me. I don't think I'll use it often, so it isn't a big deal. Just a funny reflection that I want to remember.
I look forward to continuing the celebration when I am hooded at graduation next month.
