Graduation

It was my Graduation day yesterday.
 Something, i have been struggling and waiting for.

 They say, when you wish something from heart, nature tries it best to bring it to you.

 I have always felt, achievement is useless if you do not have someone to share it.
So, two weeks ago, I was disheartened and discouraged to take the graduate walk as i did not have my parents to see me walk through.I so wanted my parents to be there in the audience and see me walk through the hall in the black cloak with the degree certificate. I have been waiting for them since my undergraduate walk and thought they would make it for the graduate walk. Surely, my parents were keen on seeing me in the cloak but practicality of life pushes aside at times. Anyways, after weeks of gruntling and endless motivated talks with my mom, i decided i would take the graduate walk and fulfill their wish to see me in the black cloak.
I was asked to get a formal suit for the occasion by my mom,  but I got a formal dress instead as the cloak served its purpose of hiding anything underneath it. As i entered the hall, i meet my classmates and clicked some pics. Back of mind was still wondering how wonderful had it been if I asked my parents to visit me. Ahh, then came the eureka moment, lady standing next to me showed me the link for live streaming of the ceremony. I was told about it by a friend but was not able to find it earlier in the week. So, called up at home and asked them to try it and see me walk through the hall of fame ;).  Hoped it worked but as technology, you know, how much you can trust at the nail biting moments.
Soon, we were lined up to enter the hall where thousands of people were waiting with cameras and cell phones on to capture/record the first sight of the dearest graduate in the black cloak.  I made sure i waved with smile on the main camera so my parents could see it at distance of countries. Pretty much like a you listen to NRI's yelling their lungs out while talking to someone in india over phone. The crowd was wonderful, clapping and cheering us.  Soon, we were asked to sit and then came the bombshell. Looking at people besides me waving at their family/friends or texting, felt heavy within. I gazed around harder and harder each moment to catch the glimpse of someone whom i knew and wave hand to them. I knew some of my friends said would show up, so wasn't ready to loose the hope and kept looking. President of school began the welcome speech and i diverted my attention partly to him and partly to my cellphone. I wanted to know if my parents could get the link working. But, connection didnot support. I took a deep breath and tried to smile and stay happy thinking what if my parents saw me grumpy and sad. After an hour or so saw someone waving at me from above. I looked around if it was for me or someone next to me. ahh, it was my friend, the smile got wider and wider and he started pointing to other direction. Puzzled i look at the other side and saw two of my other friends waving at me. Ahaa, I was smiling effortlessly this time and soon the heaviness of being alone flew away. I was happy to see them, coming for me and waving at me. One of them had come from other state, the other has thesis defense coming up in next two days. Felt blessed that they took time to come to cheer me.  I walked as my name was called and made sure i looked and waved at camera for my parents to witness. The ceremony ended and came out of hall. There was a major twist of moment. A friend of mine greeted me with flowers and goodies. Another friend hugged me tight and did not let me go for a while. the joy on their face was way beyond my imagination. I was surprised and happy and speechless with this twist of events. Went out for lunch and these friends got a cake for me, everything was so planned, little was i aware of it!! We went to neighboring place for sight seeing, went on 2 hour cruise, watched a local band perform live at the riverfront, hopped on merry go rounds, and watched the moonlight coming up on river. It was a blast.  We all aim of achieving and rising on top but once we reach it, we should atleast have one person who would be equally happy to see you there. And the number of people whom you turn happy counts the real measure of your achievement.

This day I  completely agree with the lines:

“When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.”

Paulo Coelho quotes (Mystical author, one of Brazil's most successful novelist)

 Five years have passed and the 18yr old who came to usa with the wish of obtaining a substantial education was coming true. No, graduate studies was not something me or my parents had thought of when i came here for undergraduate studies. But destiny unfolded its pages and here i am today with my masters degree. Yes, it was a achievement, a dream, a wish come true.
Feel blessed with some many lovely people around me.