New Chapter – for Curtis

Me included.

Married way too young to hear all the questions as to why would you do that? You are ruining your life! It will never be the same!

Who were they to tell me how my stupid young decision in life would affect the rest of my life?

I knew everything.

Well – I didn’t and they were right – my life has never been the same.

I am a little ashamed to say that I never completed that post secondary education that today is so coveted.

In my day – finish high school – you are fine.

I was wrong and struggled with low paying mediocre jobs that paid the bills but it was OK – I was married and had someone to take care of me.

That changed  – as it often does in this world and I found myself alone – with two children – still working a low paying job but making ends meet and wishing nothing but the best and striving for nothing but the best for my children.

I’m smart – I’m driven and I have gift for getting myself into the “right place/right time” situations. I learn quick – I problem solve and I make shit happen. I’m not bragging at all – it is how I was brought up – to survive – to never give up and to work hard and it will come to you.

I am blessed and respected in my now career but dammit!!! I worked hard to get where I am!!

I am sure my parents longed for the sweet life. Who doesn’t?

They instilled in me what I have attempted to instill in my children.

Life will beat you down and you will work those low paying crap jobs and you will struggle and you will fight and in the end – you will persevere. 

Today I saw that perseverance first hand as I watched my youngest child – my son walk across a stage to receive a diploma that he worked his collective ass off for!!

This young man has endured a shit show of a life in the past couple of years that would make a saner human curl up in a small ball in the corner of the room and tap out!!

He has battled with mental health issues that back in “my day” were not talked about but were swept under the rug as “troubled child” issues or “something is a titch off with that kid” issues.

He has dealt with the crushing blow of losing a parent to suicide.

YET – he has persevered – he fell – he got back up – he fell again – he got back up.

He got back up!!!

And today – he got up on that stage – he walked across that stage and he got that piece of paper in a recognition that he so greatly deserves in getting back up!

My parents would have been so proud of him.

His father would have been so proud of him.

Today – I – Hubs – my daughter – my family and my dearest friends are so very VERY proud of him.

Today – we celebrate you young Master Curtis.

Thank you for showing us just how far you have come and how far you will go.

(sorry for any grammatical/spelling issues – got a little emotional writing this)

And now a goofy picture (I’m a dork – he is so handsome!)