Red Letter Day

Today is a red letter day for our family... It is because my second to the youngest sister, J, went up the stage to get her diploma.  She graduates from college finally.  Hers hasn't been an easy journey.  She first enrolled in college in 2001 and took up Hotel and Restaurant Management.  Then, she was subjected to a very difficult test, not in school, but in real life..(but that's a different story).

She went to attend another university to take up a different course, this time, it was in Commerce.  It was the course from which she was to graduate from eventually.  But hers, wasn't going to be a smooth sailing journey towards her bachelor's degree. She decided she'd first get a marriage degree... 

Balancing marriage and motherhood wasn't easy.  So she quit her studies again only to come back to school when her son was two years old.  And every single day she spent in school became a sacrifice.  She relates the reasons that sustained her drive to finish her studies.

One, her son.  She was afraid she's have a hard time convincing her son someday to value his studies if she would choose not to finish hers. 

Two, we, her sisters.  If she didn't finish her studies, she would have to be a holder of two records:  the first amongst us to get married, and the only one amongst us who hasn't finished her studies.

Three, her hubby.  He told her when they got married that they would do whatever it takes to prove to themselves that their union would not hinder them from attaining their dreams (they were highschool sweethhearts).  If she doesn't finish school, it would be tantamount to breaking the pledge they both made with each other when they got married.

Four, grandma's ultimate wish.  J is Mama's (grandaunt) favorite apo.  She broke her heart when she decided to get married without finishing school yet.  But as part of the promise J gave Mama, she will finish school no matter how long it takes.

So the day has come for J to reap her diploma.  We have all looked forward to this.  But for me, being her eldest sister (and having had taken my share in supporting her studies too), I most especially take pride in her accomplishment.  She will be a dear proof that happy endings (in love and studies) aren't remote.  That young loves, highschool sweethearts, puppy loves, can all become true and as a matter of fact, become a springboard for accomplishing dreams.

J and her hubby

Her trophy:  a happy ending forever meant to be



Mom's last daughter to earn a college degree..



I love happy endings.  It happened to them.