Been so busy, I nearly forgot to update on here. My apologies, folks. :-)
Hmmm... starting from the beginning. I pulled an 88.6% in my Neuropathology course for the final, and just found out I got an 80% on my first Neuroscience exam. Been studying like mad for that class, so I've been consumed.
It's rough, but I've been making it.
However, I finally had a chance to keep a promise to my grandfather, back on 3/31.
What promise?
Well, he was a Mason for many, many years. 61, as a matter of fact. He never missed a meeting until he was well over 80, and always encouraged me to join someday. I knew I would, as the ideals of equality and fraternity appeal greatly, but life kept intervening. One day, Grandpa passed me an envelope with five crisp twenties in it- enough for my petition. I took it, and kept it safe until the time was right.
On April 3rd, 2005, he passed away. I was about twenty feet away.
As my grandma was helped to a chair to recover from the shock, I took a moment alone with Grandpa. I'll do it, I promised. As soon as I can, any way that I can, I will.
Time passed, as time often does. I kept getting close, setting aside time that was always eaten alive with classes and work, keeping me just far enough away that it was left undone.
March 31st, though, the stars aligned. A one-day class, from Entered Apprentice to Master Mason. My father was my guide, and my grandfather was there in spirit. If I didn't know better, I would swear I saw a tear in my dad's eye when he gave me the Master's grip.
If he'd looked closely, he would have seen one in my eye, too.
A promise kept, two years on. A promise kept, and the Light shines on.
So mote it be.