com-mence
transitive verb
from Vulgar Latin cominitiare
1. to have or make a beginning
Maura de Souza earned her degree in music from Sam Houston State, completing her last year of studies after being diagnosed with sarcoma. Maura's graduation was cause for huge celebration -- including a moonwalk, but a few days before the ceremonies, Maura had returned to MD Anderson Cancer Center. The struggle would be over within a few days.
Commencement. From the Vulgar Latin. To have or make a beginning.
If you feel moved by Maura's story, please consider making a donation to sarcoma research.
transitive verb
from Vulgar Latin cominitiare
1. to have or make a beginning
Maura de Souza earned her degree in music from Sam Houston State, completing her last year of studies after being diagnosed with sarcoma. Maura's graduation was cause for huge celebration -- including a moonwalk, but a few days before the ceremonies, Maura had returned to MD Anderson Cancer Center. The struggle would be over within a few days.
Commencement. From the Vulgar Latin. To have or make a beginning.
If you feel moved by Maura's story, please consider making a donation to sarcoma research.
Comments
weeping here.
ALL words seem like ineffectual little chucklenut Tinker Toys right now.
Thank you for sharing this, Joni. And your daughter Jerusha's compassion gives me faith that there's a better generation coming.
You're so right, Joni. There's nothing to say in these situations. It's the 'doing' that makes the difference, like Jerusha's paper garden or my friend, Becky, showing up on our doorstep with my favorite kind of ice cream.
For Texas readers: Maura's story will be featured on Ch 26 news tonight right after American Idol.
Hugs,
Daine
Thank you for sharing.
i can't even begin to understand what is happening in my world right now, and the pain is so intense I think sometimes i will fall from all the weight of an empty heart. But your words and the comments of people who have never even met my little sister and were encouraged by her story--and actually watched the whole video (which I think is stunning but I know I'm biased)--it is strangely comforting. Because words are so inadequate. But when someone listens to a story and is affected by it...it means something i guess. It means Maura will live forever...kinda like in Shakespeare's Sonnet:
"nor shall Death brag thou wanderest in his shade,/ When in eternal lines to time thou growest"
sonnet 18
the power of words.
my literary bad. normally I wouldn't care...but y'all being writers and all...I was kinda embarrassed. thank God for my mom explaining the difference.
I keep thinking too of the Keats poem:
"A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing."
~Deb
Life is precious. Thanks.
CC
I'm so glad you stopped by. My heart goes out to you and your family, and I was so touched by your sister's story.
As a former teacher at Sam Houston State Univ., I have witnessed the generosity of the students and faculty there. God bless them for helping Maura to complete a little part of her journey home.
TJB