The Dissertation Committee for Judith L - The University of Texas at ...

eagerly tracked my progress through the months of researching and writing. I am lucky
to work with such wonderful people and be surrounded by caring students.
I also owe a great deal to my family. To my mother and father Calvin and Debbie
Dykes – thanks for cooking all the meals, driving my children to places they needed to be
and just being there when I needed a shoulder to lean on. How lucky I am to have you
and I am honored to call you my parents. To my other “parents” Helen and Carroll
Hoffmann I thank you for helping me out as well and the strength you gave me. Finally,
I save the best for last – my children and my husband. I could not imagine doing
something like this, a Ph.D. program, without the support of my three incredible children
Caleb, Catherine and Canaan, and my hero, my husband Tobin. You know what I have
been through and felt what I put you through. Yet, the entire time I never heard any one
of you complain. Instead, there were only words of encouragement, smiles and hugs
along the way. Many times I wondered how I could be so lucky to have all of you in my
life. My triumph of finishing is not a lone victory – we did it together so we rejoice
together! It is done!
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