Why I smile

Yesterday a friend remarked to me that I get a silly smile on my face every time she says the word "homework." She's not talking about my homework, but that belonging to herself and my husband.

There's something about getting an academic degree that few people realize when signing up for one.  When you sign up for 2-6 years of college education, everyone will tell you that you're doing something great, but secretly believe that you're crazy.  You'll get the look every time you strike into a conversation with an anecdote starting with "the other day in class we were talking about..." or turn down a social function because you need to do homework.  The same goes for any time you talk about worrying over a term project, final exam, or having to post to a discussion board.

The truth is that even with people looking at you like you've made the choice to eat liver over ice cream by putting yourself into academic slavery for a few years, you'll know you've made the right choice for yourself.  You'll know because you can see that when you have your degree, despite the fact that you'll be exhausted, you'll be standing atop a mountain with a view that's unbelievable.  You know about the view on faith because you have a goal, and the degree is your ticket to achieving that goal.

I used to get the "you're an academia nut" look from my friend and husband.  Now, as I am completing my MA, My husband has enrolled in his own Master's program, having realized that it will be a great move for his career.  My friend is looking into a degree from a fine arts school that will allow her to take her talents to a professional career level, and has started taking classes already in subjects that interest her.  They talk about homework with all the seriousness that I used to.

My friend accused me of having some sort of sick enjoyment out of seeing her suffer the way I used to, but that isn't why I smile every time she says "homework."  After years of suffering the look, I'm glad to know I'm not the only person who sees the goal and imagines the view.  It's good to know that I'm not the only one crazy enough to sign up on faith, or who takes homework so seriously that I'm willing to endure the look.

As I write this, my husband is still sitting on the couch, diligently typing up an assignment, still in his pajamas because he hasn't taken a break since starting earlier this morning.  A while ago he asked if I could make him lunch because he couldn't break his train of thought.  It's good to see that level of hope, passion, and devotion in the people I care about, and that is the reason I smile.