Crumbs. This was last Friday now. A wondrous day, memories of which have almost been punted over the fence with a right old ‘knock the stuffing out of you’ type cold this week. Oxford Brookes University wanted to award me an honorary doctorate. A letter from the Vice Chancellor last June. Blimey. A week before the 2018 graduation ceremonies I assumed someone had dropped out at the last minute.

‘Oh yes, I’m around all next week’ I replied… [always the dependable and practiced filler-in].

The invitation was for 2019. A bone fide jobby.

I headed down to Brookes in early morning sunshine with Rich and Rosie. The day started a bit stressful as I realised I should probably get a copy of my 6 minute speech printed rather than stick my phone to my nose during the ceremony. And Rich pointed out a ladder in my tights.

Mike across the road obliged with the printing after replenishing a print cartridge while Rich bought a selection of tights from the local Co-op (which has consistently featured on this blog).

We met up with my mum and dad outside the main Brookes entrance and got swept up by Beth Hill, Events Manager, who looked after everyone, did a stonking job of erasing stress and made me feel like a legit honorary graduate with her humour, warmth and sass. A walk through the ceremony, gown on, professional photos (the first since I was at school) and non stop pep talk.

There was a moment when she took me into the hall before the ceremony. An unexpectedly rebuilt version of the space I graduated in 18 years ago. A time when life had different texture, tone and colour. And a beautiful young dude bouncing around in it.

Beth had a vice grip of understanding (physically and emotionally) because she does.

What seemed like moments later, a ceremonial entry through a hall heaving with students, families, love, pride, excitement and achievement. Professor Jeremy McClancy (love him) nominated me for the award. In his introduction he said the job of academics is to enable students to become active, critical citizens who act on the world and he couldn’t think of a better example. [Sob] I sat in a sea of memories from back in the day. The enormity of everything, my heart swelling and utter sadness was something else.

Then it was time find the white cross on the stage, be given a framed certificate by Pro Vice Chancellor Anne-Marie Kilday, have the certificate magicked away and pointed towards the lecturn. Speech printed and carefully folded in my pocket.

‘You’ve got this’, said Anne-Marie, firmly.

Yep.

It was an unexpectedly extraordinary day; moving, powerful and fun. Rich, Rosie and I spent a lost and lazy afternoon sitting outside a rooftop restaurant in the sunshine. Eating, talking, drinking fizz and chuckling… We went home and slept soundly spread across settees.

I so appreciate the warmth, delight, support and recognition of staff who taught me back in the day at Brookes. Those rollercoaster years of juggling young pups, study, diagnosis, despair and ways of making sense of what seemed, at the time, to be unthinkable. Years that had a preciousness we didn’t understand at the time. The comments from parents and students on the day were equally warming. A resounding ‘thank you’.

Last night David Harling published his latest animation Not from Where I Stand. More brilliance capturing the strands of service brutality and the awesomeness of people like Connor. This week has seen cracking campaigns/developments #strippedofhumanrights, #homesnothospitals and #SENDnationalcrisis. Movements, action, collectivity and commitment to improving impoverished lives.

Who knows, maybe the tanker is turning.