Pushing Through

My mom is 51 years old and this weekend she donned a cap and gown and walked in the Portland State University commencement ceremony. She had collected about two years of college credits 30 years ago but then came husband and then came baby and she put off finishing her degree. She began making a dent in it about four years ago, with night and online courses, a little at a time. About a year ago she bravely quit working to speed up her college career and totally immersed herself in her studies. It admittedly took her awhile to commit to her decision. Anytime we are faced with a fork in the road, the natural instinct is to waver, to hesitate. It's hard to be gung-ho about change. Hey, it's hard to even initiate it, rather than wait for it to force yourself into action. I see how happy she is with her decision, I’m proud of her for never stopping her learning, and I am grateful for the example she has set for me. Risks, when taken to improve one's self, will never become regrets.