One of the things we promised ourselves we would do on the journey with Autism, is celebrate milestones.  You may not know, or you may feel differently, but sometimes we find the high points challenging to celebrate.  This has nothing to do with hopelessness, or discouragement, but because life is complicated and high points (things like graduations and birthdays) highlight everything, the gains, but also the losses. Reality includes all of this, so it takes some courage to place a spotlight on it. In this way celebration in a discipline.

But this post isn’t about the kids and their milestones, but mine (although I surprisingly feel some of the same emotions).  I graduated this weekend, completing an MA in Spiritual Formation from Carey Theological College.  It wasn’t a degree that I pursued for vocational purposes, but for personal growth and enjoyment.  It was, and maybe for those very reasons, the best of all of the education I have pursued in my life.  But even though I pursued this for myself, I recognize that I didn’t complete it alone.  I had encouragement and a community about me.  I had mentors and friends from the sidelines shouting ‘Courage! – you can do this.’  I had my family who allowed me the time and distraction needed to delve into the material.  No one graduates alone.

I wrote this Haibun for a mentor who gave me profound, consistent encouragement through my practicum project, to complete the degree and to write more.  The photo of the supported tree was taken in Nitobi Memorial Gardens on UBC campus at a point early in my studies.  It spoke to me of fragility and the strength of a supportive community.  The other photo is of my friend Amber and her family – it speaks to me of the same things: fragility and the strength of a supportive community.  She graduated with me.  We started together and we ended together — not an insignificant accomplishment considering we stretched our learning over seven years!  No one graduates alone and a few graduate together!

Support

We all grow a little crooked, thwarted by obstacles: environmental, circumstantial, monumental or incidental. All of them require supports, like a tree I saw once in an ornamental garden, growing out slanted from the ground. Gradually, it would have been overcome by gravity, but was saved by a system of braces that enabled it to stretch skyward again.

supports, wisely placed
like spring showers, release
new seasons of growth

Gratitude is best expressed in living on, growing upward, expanding outward, resisting the downward drag of gravity and displaying the creation and unique beauty of the combined effort.

© 2016 Laurel Archer