In the past month, I appear to have become the Queen of Degrees... those of the belong-to-someone-else variety. (I, myself, haven’t graduated from much of anything since college in 2008.) Several weeks ago on a morning walk with my hound, the same ivy patch I pass on foot at least twice a day presented me with a “gift”: a dirty, orphaned diploma.
Pepperell High School
Lindale, Georgia
James Brevard Sparks
Special Education Diploma
May 1998
![](//2.bp.blogspot.com/_qtCaiuLip4Q/SzoQEvEXeOI/AAAAAAAABH0/Or42et1bkl0/s400/sparks.jpg)
It had not been there any day before, but now it was sitting half-exposed in the greenery. I curiously examined it before continuing on. When it was still there the next morning, I took it up proudly, like my dog when he finds the best stick, and carted it home. I have yet to decide why I have it and what exactly I plan on doing with it.
Lindale, Georgia
James Brevard Sparks
Special Education Diploma
May 1998
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qtCaiuLip4Q/SzoQEvEXeOI/AAAAAAAABH0/Or42et1bkl0/s400/sparks.jpg)
It had not been there any day before, but now it was sitting half-exposed in the greenery. I curiously examined it before continuing on. When it was still there the next morning, I took it up proudly, like my dog when he finds the best stick, and carted it home. I have yet to decide why I have it and what exactly I plan on doing with it.
One diploma-not-my-own would seem treat enough--how often do random diplomas appear at your feet?--but this morning’s walk proved otherwise. Further down the street from the ivy, my eyes fell upon a small plastic card (slightly smaller than a driver’s license). In near disbelief I read it.
Gordon Central High School
Calhoun, Georgia
Nathaniel Kirk Townsend
Diploma
June 1998
Calhoun, Georgia
Nathaniel Kirk Townsend
Diploma
June 1998
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qtCaiuLip4Q/SzoQZNIhNzI/AAAAAAAABH8/PAKfJ0b7IPg/s320/townsend.jpg)
It, too, is now in my possession, keeping Mr. Sparks’ credentials company.
And for all this, I have little to say, save the solitary observation that 1998 must have been an especially bad year to get a degree. They seem to have a propensity for running off. So if you, reader, arrived at any point of mastery for which you received a diploma in 1998, please hold it tightly. I really don’t need any more for my growing collection.
i know who the last diploma belongs to
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