Something special

This is where we sat - under the lantern in Ely cathedral.

There she goes - the reason why. Vivienne said she has always wanted to walk among ancient buildings wearing full academic rig.


Her husband and younger sister were there as well. The degree is Master of Arts in Classical Studies, and the university is the Open University, which is what made it so special.

Ok so the youngsters do well, and deserve the applause they get when they graduate, but the people who graduated here were such a varied crew and represent such dedication and massive hours of self discipline in study that the honours are deserved in a whole other way.

Old people who have obviously had to wait until retirement to find time to study the thing that fascinated them.

Middle-aged people who have just realised that if they get the qualifications they can do the thing that they really wanted to do.

People with physical problems that now have it on record that the wonky body houses a fine mind.

Mums and Dads who had to give a wave to the small children watching them - what an excellent example to set to their children.

One little Miss had her moment - five minutes before the procession she got away. She ran to the dais, and looked back - Granny was coming. So she put one foot on the steps - Granny was getting nearer. Up she went onto the dais and ran across just fast enough to keep beyond Granny's reach, and smiled at her audience all the way. You could feel the draught as the whole audience sighed "Aaaah". For the record, there was no sound of her voice for the rest of the proceedings, so she must have behaved impeccably from then on.

Oh, and I finished a pair of socks.