I was dating someone and decided to move in with him. When I did that I moved over thirty minutes from school and it became to much of a 'burden' to finish. I let my grandparents down, as I lived with them. I would have (at that time) been only the second in our family to graduate and only the first to go to college. I still remember the disappointment on my grandmothers face up until the day she passed in 2003.
After my grandmother died my husband and I divorced. I bounced from job to job, I tired to get my GED but life always got in the way. This past year I had the opportunity to go back to High School. This is not one of those through the mail things. I mean I went BACK to High School! I attended classes, relying on my mother-in-law and husband to watch the kids after work so I could go to school. Then when my pregnancy took a severe downward spiral, I was allowed to do class work at home and check in at school.
I finished my 2.5 credits in March right after Faith was born. On June 3,2011 I joined GED graduates and 8 other Adult High School Graduates at Commencement. I walked proudly across the stage as my husband, mother-in-law, and daughter cheered from the audience (Faith cheered I swear, it does not matter that she is only 2 months). I was called back to the stage not once but TWICE to be honored as Valedictorian and presented with a scholarship from the local newspaper.
Ten years after the worst mistake of my life, all is in the process of being made right. I will be attending Roane State this fall to obtain a bachelors in Social Service. It may have taken 10 years but I fixed it. I truly pray my grandmother is looking down on me proud! Please remember it's not the mistakes you make it's HOW you FIX them that truly count!
Congratulations! Your persistence despite all that got thrown at you this last year is impressive. You've set a positive example for your kids about the importance of education!
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