Congratulations Maggie, Well Done!

As our daughter Maggie walked across the stage at the Uvic Theatre to receive her Bachelor of Laws Degree, Paulette and I were both proud and thrilled and we couldn't help responding with a little "cheer and applause" of support and congratulations! Maggie said later that she heard us and wasn't even "embarrassed to death", but just laughed inside knowing how much this moment meant to us.

It was a very nice ceremony and it didn't go on forever as many of them do. In total, it lasted for just under 2 hours and that included the installation and swearing in of a new Chancellor for the university. Thankfully, only one local politician managed to find their way to the microphone and she was mercifully short with her remarks.

Maggie with "proud Mama" Paulette


This Convocation Ceremony at the University of Victoria was the culmination of seven years of study for Maggie. After graduating from Cowichan Valley High School, she enrolled at Uvic, and four years later earned a BA, with honors, majoring in history. Maggie then took a year off of school to travel through Europe and to decide what she wanted to do next – get a job, or to go back to school to pursue a graduate degree. After returning safe and sound, Maggie wrote the entrance exams for Uvic’s Law School program and passed with flying colors and was admitted for that Fall’s program.

Maggie enjoying a glass of punch after the ceremony


Paulette and I were not surprised at all by this as Maggie had achieved nothing less than A’s throughout her entire school career – mostly due to hours and hours of study and hard work. In fact, our biggest problem was always getting Maggie to stop studying so much and to go out and have some fun. We were both extremely relieved when she decided to take a year off, after getting her BA, just to travel around Europe, working and having some fun.

The Convocation Ceremony stage at Uvic


So, now she’s done it! We have a lawyer in the family! And, like everything else in life, reality sets in and it’s back to work to make a living. Paulette and I are both very confident that Maggie will do well in whatever she decides to do, whether it’s in the practice of Law or some other, unknown at this point, career. For the immediate future, Maggie will be concentrating on finishing her articles with a law firm in Vancouver – that will take about a year to complete.

Maggie and her boyfriend Toby


So, again congratulations Maggie – you’ve done it and our whole family is extremely proud of you and your accomplishments. As for me and Paulette, it's another big day for us as we're off to catch the ferry to the mainland and then drive down to Bellingham to pick up our new puppy, Rylie. We'll be back home later this afternoon - and, then the fun begins!!