Well, my friends, here we are. It's graduation week at the FBI National Academy. My final physical assessment is completed (I'm in better shape, although I gained a few pounds). My last final is completed, and I passed all my courses. Wednesday we held graduation rehearsal, to prepare for that exciting celebration. This week there have been some great social events, designed to cement the friendships and professional relationships we've forged during the summer. Friday, I will walk across the stage and receive my diploma from FBI Director Robert Mueller himself. My car will be all packed up by then, ready for the return trip home. I haven't decided where the yellow brick will ride. The dashboard, maybe?

This week has been quite surreal, actually. Everyone is having a great time and thoroughly enjoying the experience. And yet, we are all constantly talking about how much we are looking forward to greeting our families and getting back to our normal lives. One friend remarked that soon, we'll all be "back to the grind." I realized (and quickly mentioned), "yeah, but I like the grind!" It's true. After a little over 15 years, I still enjoy my job tremendously. I always look forward to heading into the station, to see what a new day in Waterville will bring. For the opportunity to work in such a great community and along side such incredible coworkers, I am grateful.

I certainly hope many of you have appreciated - and perhaps even enjoyed - the columns I've sent back for you. My earnest hope was that by writing about this challenge, some of you would gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of law enforcement, and of the dedication of those who pursue it as a profession. I must tell you, after spending 10 weeks with such a large group of police leaders from around the world I am more optimistic about our future than ever before. These are some of the finest minds and committed hearts on the planet, regardless of the line of work they have chosen. It's a satisfying feeling to know that when I return home, this network is available to help solve any problem that may confront us.

I also enjoyed an unexpected benefit from writing these columns for you. Each week, I spent some time reflecting on what I had seen and done since my last contribution to the paper and it really helped me live in the moment and appreciate what was going on around me. Like many people, I think I tend to spend too much time with my head down, forging ahead through life. I sometimes fail to live for - and revel in - the "here and now."

If nothing else, I hope you all see what I know to be true: that my attendance at the FBI National Academy as well as my successful completion of the program here would not have been possible or enjoyable without a huge amount of support. My heartfelt thanks goes out to City Manager Mike Roy and Chief Joseph Massey for their efforts to get me here. I know (as hard as it is for me to accept) that things have been running very smoothly at the Waterville Police Department in my absence and that is due to the high caliber and hard work of the entire crew. And as I've mentioned before, my family has always been the foundation upon which my life is built. I can't wait to get back there!