I just went to pick up my diploma from school. As I opened the envelope and saw my name there I couldn't hold back the tears. I was overcome with emotion. I thought of what a long road it has been to here but how it was worth every bit of the struggle.
I remember, in high school, my heart sinking as I had to tell teachers and guidance counselors not to put my name in for scholarships because I knew my parents wouldn't let me accept them.
I remember the pain, fear and guilt of going behind my parents back to enjoy academic extracurricular activities like being in the Foreign Language Club, the Beta Club, the Math team, The Academic Bowl team and the editor of my high school yearbook, The Sandspur.
I remember stealthily allowing my teachers to nominate me for Governor's Honors, an excelerated summer program for "gifted" students. I was one of 12 nominated from my school and one of 4 to be accepted that year. I remember my mother asking me if I was afraid armageddon would come while I was away from home during that summer of 1975.
I remember coming home from going to get an application to the local college in Valdosta and being met by my best friend Chris who talked me out of applying.
I remember working years as a bank teller for Barnett Banks of Florida while going to school nights at Florida Community College of Jacksonville.
I remember the panic attacks that followed me being laid off by my employer 2 years ago because I knew that without a Bachelors degree it was going to be very hard for me to find a job.
But here I am, a college graduate and I have several choices of paths available to me.
Will I go back for my MBA.
Will I go back and study for a Bachelors degree in history.
Will I go back for a Masters in Education.
Will I find a job in Market Research or Advertising, both of which I have a passion for.
Will I continue to work part time and travel the world as I have longed for so long to do.
Any of these paths will be exciting and rewarding. Having finished one path, reassures me that I can successfully follow another.
I share this here in such detail because I know each person on this board has dreams, dreams that in part or in full may have been squashed by the "end time" propaganda of the Watchtower Society.
DON'T STOP THINKING ABOUT TOMORROW
Tomorrow is real. Tomorrow holds the hope of you fulfilling your own dreams.
May God bless us all on our individual journeys.
your brother,
Joel