Monday, July 2, 2012

happy tears are flowing today...

(April 27, 1993...Christopher's  first research project.)

The day is here and happy tears are flowing!
My dear wonderful, amazing, smart son is defending his dissertation today for his PhD.  
After nearly six years of research, a bachelors degree and a doctorate in Physical Therapy, he is now graduating with a PhD!


Last friday he turned in his 263 page thesis to his five advisors from 
University of Illinois, Northwestern, and the Rehabilitation Institue of Chicago for their review before the big day. 
 He also sent us a copy.


The title page...


Wind~Up of Spiral Neurons Contributes to Supramaximal Volitional Torque
in the Human Spinal Cord Injury


okay, i must admit that i am already lost!


The Dedication page...


To my sister, Michelle


Can you believe it??
Now this i understand!!!
It has been over a week since i read these words and i am still overflowing with
those happy tears!  He dedicated nearly six years of research to his sister!!
She may never know or understand this, but i do!  
I have one amazing son!


The Acknowledgement page...


"first i would like to thank my wife, Rachel.  
I cannot imagine seeing this process from the outside.
It is humbling to have such an amazing wife ~ i am madly in love with you.


And to my parents, Richard and Nancy, I could not have fathomed any of this without your love and support"


Can you believe it??
Again it has been over a week and those happy tears are still flowing!
What an amazing husband he is!


I still have 261 more pages to read, but i have a feeling that i will not understand any of it.  But in a nutshell his research will hopefully help a spinal cord injury
victim walk again.
(again those happy tears are flowing!)


And now he has invited us to watch him defend his dissertation today.  
This  will be one of "those moments" in life.  A moment that as a parent i am swelling with pride for my son...a moment i will never forget!
I am bringing alot of tissues for all those happy tears while i watch him defend his thesis
and become Dr. Christopher Thompson.


Next week his journey continues.  He and Rachel leave for Austraila to continue his research "down under".  


"you don't raise heroes, you raise sons.
And if you treat them like sons, they'll turn out to be heroes,
even if it's just in your own eyes"
~walter m. schirra~


until next time...
nancyjean

6 comments:

  1. Congratulations to all of you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. MaryJane BattagliaJuly 4, 2012 at 10:19 AM

    Nancy -- Oh my gosh did you know that happy tears are contagious? I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face as I share in your joy! A huge WOW for Christopher and to do this on His Wedding Anniversary -- God's timing is so perfect. I cannot imagine being more proud of Chris and all he has done -- He had me at his Dedication Line and lost me at his Thesis Title -- only I know the day that someone stands up and walks because of his research will be the biggest paycheck on this earth for some family. Congratulations on raising such a caring, compassionate and brilliant son who never forgets where he came from and the love and support of his family!
    To you and Rick -- great job raising Chris And MICHELLE! So glad after all these years I get to share in such a joyous part of your lives! Embrace the day -- and to God be the glory for His gift to you of Christopher!!!!!! Whoops -- Dr. Christopher Thompson!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm so thrilled for you and your family. So wonderful! I love seeing evidence that my challenging 3-year-old will turn into a successful adult. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. My tears are not streaming down (yet) but I have a huge knot in my stomach, very touching your thoughts and I am very, very happy for you. I don't understand anything about his topic but I do understand that he is a great guy, amazing brother, husband and son!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Gudy, I do not understand his topic either, but his research is focused around helping spinal cord victims to walk again. They are doing amazing research at the Rehab. Institute of Chicago!

      Delete
  5. Congratulations to all....you must be one happy, proud Mama!! And what a sweet pic of earlier years.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your kind words. I enjoy reading each and every comment!

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.