Congratulations to a master
09/20/2010

My son Hudson completes his Master's in creative writing today, submitting his two-part, bound dissertation--one part criticism and the other a collection of his own poetry.  My hunky younger son is a poet! 

It was just over a year ago that Hudson headed off to London to attend Kingston University--leaving family, friends, and an idyllic Santa Barbara lifestyle in pursuit of his dream--to be a writer.  He had no job, no place to live, no bank account (have you tried getting any of those without the other already in place?) and only a handful of contacts.  But he pieced those contacts together into a place to live for a few weeks while he found permament accommodations, enrolled in classes, got appointed editor of the university's literary magazine, joined up with a band of movers and shakers producing a monthly journal on the arts, addiction, and depression; and began the life of a writer--filling his days and nights with reading and writing.

He had adventures along the way, of course.  Heck, the whole thing was an adventure!  Teaching his Chinese roommate/landlord how to cook; running at sunset through the park in Kingston-Upon-Thames in the company of red deer and brown rabbits; winning a case of scotch and a pair of opera tickets at Albert Hall; camping in the rain in Scotland; interviewing for a job at the British Museum; hearing his poetry read in public; writing travel content for www.Viator.com; and today, turning in his dissertation.  He's done it.  He got what he came for.  Without visible means of support (his last student loan check was in June), he's made his dream come true.  He knows he hasn't "arrived," the journey is just beginning.  But he's on his way and I'm so proud of him.  (Can you tell?)

How many people dream, but don't act?  How many people cut the cord to a life that is good and safe when they know in their heart that another life is calling?  Hud did it.  He took the leap and landed.  He's on the far shore now with his Master's degree in hand, a passel of poems in his portfolio, and the confidence that comes from accepting a challenge and pulling it off.

Rock on, my Hud.  Rock on, all you dreamers and risk-takers.  There's a big world out there...live it large.