Ceremonials.

The time is here.

I'm finally graduating from nursing school.

It seems like it's been such a long time, but in reality, it's been just the right amount.

I never used to understand why graduation ceremonies were a big deal. 

Truly, I'm still not sure I totally get it.

But this morning as I was driving, I think I finally get it.

It's not so much a celebration of accomplishment, though that is also true, it's closure.

In high school, I didn't really get that.

I actually didn't see the point in going to my high school graduation and opted out of the ceremony.

I think I was simply over the whole thing, and it really wasn't a challenge for me. 

One day I was there, the next I was moving on. 

No big deal.

However, this week, after I took my last finals, I didn't know what to do.

I really didn't have to do anything.

I've spent the last nearly three years on a very rigorous schedule, namely the last two, and all the sudden, it's just over.

It doesn't seem real.

But I think after graduation tomorrow evening, it will.

And I actually want to go to this ceremony.

Partially because there's a total of 17 of us graduating. 

These are women I've sweat and cried with, who've poured out their souls for this, who possess true compassion and seek to provide excellent care for their patients. 

I respect these women, and it really is a big deal we've all completed this.

I can't tell you the amount of times I contemplated quitting or thought I would fail out.

I know the same is true for them.

So, I find myself incredibly more thankful for this seemingly silly ceremony than I ever thought I would.

Because I, along with these 16 other beautifully crafted women, completed a task worthy of recognition and worthy of proper closure. 

I expect the full wave of relief to wash over us tomorrow as we grace that very mundane stage to do what millions of other former students will be doing in the next few weeks.

Though, however mundane the actually act may be, we will make it special, if only to us. 

The only feeling that will trump this is passing the NCLEX, but that will come soon enough.