Master of Laws

JR's LL.M. graduation from New York University School of Law (NUS campus) was the reason Tony and I went to Singapore. But here I was, blogging about everything but the purpose for the trip.

Finally I get around to it.

The graduation, or convocation as it was called, was almost austere. There were 44 graduates from 24 countries, plus four university luminaries, a handful of aides, and about the same number of parents.  Except for the sporadic noise of a three-year-old who came with her grandmother, you could hear a pin drop. 

All the professors from NYU flown in to Singapore during the year had a short, meaningful message on video, and the Singapore Chief Justice made a brief, inspiring speech.

It was after the simple rites that the bedlam began. If you're thrown into a roomful of aggressive lawyers, you could hardly put a word in. It's just as well. With pride, the parents watched their children revel in their accomplishment, raring to spread their wings.

The dinner was formal but loud, and photo ops were all around.

We had a chance to chat with young lawyers from China, Germany, Uganda, Australia and all the other countries represented.

And my feet ached from my killer heels. Fashion and comfort are never allies. 

Food, drinks, and grace flowed, even up to the time we got back to the hotel, exhausted. (I speak only, of course, of seniors like Tony and me. JR stayed up finishing an NUS paper that was due the next day.)

Because he finished a double degree, JR says there will be other graduation rites, this time with NUS and another one in New York,  but those will just have to happen without us. The pocket is dry and so is the reservoir of energy. But grace springs eternal.

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of children.