Well Little32, I really wasn't looking for any applause or praise for doing what I've done (although the compliment was very much appreciated--Thank you, Sisterfriend).
I feel that I've gone through and was able to accomplish a lot BECAUSE of my daughter (and now also my son). You see, I'm one who will NEVER forget where I came from and what MY mother went through as a single parent of four (and she only had her high school diploma). I decided at a very young age that I WOULD NOT go through many of the things that my mother had to go through. I also decided that my CHILDREN would NEVER have to go through a lot of stuff that I went through as a child. Those things just were NOT going to be factors or issues in my life. And by obtaining my B.S. and M.A., I broke MANY cycles that had been in my family for years.
Plain and simple, I just wanted you and others to know that you CAN do it. That was just a little part of my life that I wanted to share with you all. And believe me, if or when you have children, you'll be AMAZED at your strength (mental and physical) and the things that you would do (and I mean that in a EVERY aspect). Because when you have children, your ENTIRE life changes. You actually see things in a different light. Your priorities change. You realize that it's not all about you anymore. I do believe that had it not been for the Lord and the many obstacles that I've endured (including the struggle of being a single parent for a short time---I'm now married to my daughter's father), I wouldn't be where I am now. NO, it's not going to be easy, but you (and others) CAN and WILL make it.
I'm going to say this and then I'll shut up, okay?
My daughter, 8-years-old, said something to me about one year ago that COMPLETELY broke me down. She said "Ma, I want to be just like you when I grow up." You can just IMAGINE what that did to me. Even until this day, whenever I think about that, I get emotional. I realized at that moment that, yes it is a FACT that our children are looking at us. We lead by example. I remember telling my daughter "No, Courtland, I don't want you to be like me. I want you to be BETTER than me." THAT was one of the most humbling moments in my life because I knew that this little girl (and God knows how many other children--and even ADULTS) were looking at ME to SHOW them the right and positive things to do with their lives.
Everything that I went through in order to get those degrees, every sacrifice that was made, every obstacle that I had to overcome---all of it was worth it because my children DESERVE it, my husband DESERVES it, and last, but not least, I DESERVE it. (Let me go, Girl, before I start to cry).