Hats Off for the Graduate!

Jan 11, 2008

Graduation was on the schedule today for my niece, Brienna. She has successfully completed 4 years of college as a full-time student, working at one point or another, full-time and/or part-time to subsidize the cost of this education, and caring for various members of her family during that period of time as well. She is an amazing young woman with a drive enviable by any person who dreams big dreams. Her goal setting is just out of her reach, always causing her to strive a little harder and as she realizes the prize, she sets the goal a little higher. You could call her my "mentor" in many ways. I long to have the strength, the foresight, the confidence this young gal has.

I look at all the obstacles she has overcome in her short 23 years and realize they are the very thing that has given her this character! We have, in our own narrow-minded ways, pitied her here and there for different things she was experiencing, and looking back now, I realize, perhaps we should have been rejoicing, for none of us could see what was being produced by this "firing and testing" process.

She still had years ahead of her of studying. Her goal is to be a lawyer someday, and she is well on her way.

Lovely to look at, but even more lovely to be around. Her beauty eminates from within and simply spreads to all those she comes into contact with. Her wit, her talents, her wisdom...human though she be, are above reproach.

Brienna, Honey. I am so proud. I know, too, your Mama is equally proud and watching from just beyond that scrim that separates us from those departed. She sees and protects...she knows and guides and, I believe she smiles and continues to love!

Best wishes in all your endeavors, all your successes and even more so in all your "re-dos", for I don't believe there are failures, there are just those opportunities to repeat the class and do it again, in a more efficient way.