Com*mence"ment\

Com*mence"ment\, n. [F. commencement.]

1. The first existence of anything; act or fact of commencing; rise; origin; beginning; start.

There has always been something about commencement ceremonies that have been moving to me. Whether its watching younger cousins fidget in their micro-mini cap and gown and practicing a kindergarten song before marching out to "Pomp and Circumstance" or seeing the tears of someone's grandmother beaming with pride as their grandchild, a first generation college grad, raises a wrapped diploma in the air and screams with joy "I did it!"

Not too long ago, three aliberatedwoman blog writers crossed the stage into a new world, a new beginning, and now we are preparing to celebrate the commencement of our beloved, fourth member of the aliberatedwoman blog sisterhood. For all of us this season of new careers, graduate school, and student teaching has been a new beginning indeed, and once the final tassle has turned we will fully and completely be able to jump into this thing called life.

Aliberatedwoman appreciates commencement in all forms and at all levels, but a truly liberated woman finds joy and peace in watching others cross over into their "first existence." It is in these very moments, that we too start, rise, and begin again.