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out of water; it didn't feel right, she said. I told her that she just won't go wrong if she'll listen to her heart. It was right after that when her future husband came along. The reason she didn't feel like college was for her, was because she was going to be the wife of a minister, and she would become a mother. Today, if anyone has a doctorate in motherhood, it is she. She is THE #1 mother this world has ever had. At least, in my opinion. And I will never forget the strength in her face when they wheeled her in to surgery the day after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. To think that my daughter is the strongest person I have ever known. She went through all that she did, defying the doctors who told her she needed to abort her baby to take radiation, ready willing and able to sacrifice her own life for her baby.

Then I watched as my oldest son graduated from the junior college and went on to UCLA to get his BS. Later, while working full time, he put himself through law school. Without asking me for a single dime.

And my youngest. He went to the same Junior college, and then got his BS at UC Davis. After getting his BS, he applied to medical school and had the surprise of his life when UC Davis accepted him into their medical program. Today he is almost through with his 3rd year in the UC Davis medical program. And he's never asked for one single dime, I think, because he knows I don't have it.

Yep, those kids of mine have left me in the dust. They are all so far advanced it has blown my ever lovin' mind. And funny thing, they're all so close to each other. Two brothers, one with a law degree, and one almost through with medical school, and they're best of friends. I think the proudest moment of my life was when my oldest son gave a speech at his brother's wedding. How could I have ever deserved that?

So how do I recognize success? When I look at those kids, and I know they're better than me. I am not one bit ashamed, because to me, despite the scraping, mistakes, and hard knocks I have been through, it means I succeeded.

Learn more about this author, Mac a'Bhaird.
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