A MASTERS Fairy Tale

When I was six, I noticed that all the stories I really liked started with “Once upon a time” and had happy endings. This one is no different.

Once upon a time, there were two young people named Ralph and Char. They were married and had two young children named Nathan and Tiffany. One day while in the kitchen Char announced, “I am going to back to school.” Those words started a long, but fruitful journey.

Char did go back to school but it wasn’t always an easy journey. The kids were young, her husband was gone a lot, and she was also working. But one day Char graduated with her Bachelors degree.

She took the next several years and raised the kids, taught school and became a great teacher. Teaching at a few different schools, and dealing with different situations at each. She kept learning and kept teaching.

Then one day the Nathan and Tiffany were no longer at home. Once again, Char announced, “I am going back to school.” These words also started another journey.

Even though the kids were gone other challenges were there. Char’s dad came to stay with Char with Ralph, yet, while it wasn't easy, she continued with school. Sometime (okay, a lot of times Ralph was a jerk) but she stayed in school. Then one day Char graduated with her MASTERS degree in counseling.

Even though this story started with “Once upon a time” and had a happy conclusion. There are a few things that aren’t told. First of all, the story is not over. It won’t be for hopefully a long time.

Secondly, it is hard to express how proud I am of her. Not just for the degree, which is a remarkable achievement, but for her willingness to stick with it through some extremely difficult circumstance along the way. She is a remarkable woman.

Third, while I am not downplaying the degrees she has earned in any way. She has done far more than that to leave her legacy. She raised, single handily at time, two great kids. Then through her teaching, she has touched the lives of many, many other young people. It’s fun to go with her to a store or restaurant. You’ll often hear things like, “Mrs. Campbell do you remember the time. . . “, “Mrs. Campbell I remember what you told me back . . . “, “Mrs. Campbell because of you . . . “ I lot of lives have been touched and influenced by what she does.

So all I can say is congratulations on your Masters degree Char. Congratulations on the lives you have touched and difference you have made in this world. And most of all, thanks for being my wife.