I am a pick axe.
I grimly focus on the patch of ground
in front of me, and chip, chip, chip away
at the rocks that block my way.
I will wear down this mountain
day by day.
I will find a seam and harvest value.
Today, it may seem too hard to do,
but I will chip, chip, chip away anyway
until I’ve made a hill of this mountain,
and have found the other side..
.
.
.
I’m smack in the middle of my penultimate grad school course. I’m finding it hard to concentrate, what with the recent family deaths and illness and related stress. After a long day at work, I just want to curl up in a warm corner and snooze. This is a required course, so there’s nothing for it but chipping away at readings, chipping away at assignments, chipping away at papers, and then it’ll be over. One month until the last paper is due, and then it’s through! The end is nigh!
Shawn L. Bird 
You can do it! I can empathize with you. I remember in the midst of earning my BA my mother died in 1998. My Dad had died in 1995. I did take one semester off but returned to finish my degree. When I finally graduated in May 2002 I know my parents were smiling down from Heaven upon me. I know these type things can be overwhelming. I will pray God for your strength.
Thanks. I’ve been happily juggling studies with work and blog for the last 2 years, but the February death was the straw that broke my proverbial back. My course load at work was particularly challenging (my all afternoon creative writing class = lots of editing for 21 students…), but the new term started today, so after report cards are done Wednesday, things should mellow out. I am looking forward to spring break. Two weeks to focus on grad school while on vacation in Oregon. 🙂 So long as I don’t lose my focus, I’ll be done in June. I think my 93% average is going to be toast after this one, though.
Embrace that beam of light that glimmers in the distance.
🙂
Have you read about The Mountain Man: Manjhi. He spent his whole life to break through a mountain to create a road. And he did it eventually with just one axe
A living metaphor!