Rose Miller 
Everything happens for a reason. Everything I’ve been through has brought me to this moment. I recently met with an accountant to help settle some outstanding challenges I was having with my mom’s estate, and instead of paying him for his time like we agreed over the phone, I ended up walking out with a job offer. All I needed was a college degree. I told him I’d think about it.
I did think about it for all of twenty minutes. I’ve always wanted to be an accountant. I love numbers and learning about the stock market. I started on this path in 2010 but had to drop out because I was on bed rest with my daughter. There was no Zoom in 2010, if you weren’t in class, you failed. I never had the support I needed when I was married, he never cared about my dreams. Life got overwhelming with 6 kids and I never managed to get myself back into a classroom, and with the abuse I endured I completely forgot about it.
When I left my marriage my mom encouraged me to go back to school, but who had a head for learning when I was fighting every day to rebuild everything I lost? Who has a head to study when emergency motions are being filed left and right and every other week we need to be in some kind of meeting?
The timing wasn’t right, I needed to earn money to pay the bills, I was juggling 3 jobs. I didn’t have the time or the luxury of going to school. My ex wasn’t giving a penny because that’s what abusers do, they abuse. He wanted to make being a single mom with so many kids impossible so I’d fail. He doesn’t want to see me succeed, but unfortunately for him, that’s exactly what I will do. He forgot about my determination, he forgot about my persistence and perseverance.
It’s been twelve years since I was in a classroom, and it’s finally time to go back. My divorce is settled, my children are set, and I am ready to take life to the next level. I am responsible for these kids and I want to show them how it’s done. I want to be a role model for my kids and show them that no one can take away your dreams even if it’s hard. I want them to go to college, I want my daughters (especially my daughters) to be financially independent, it’s important to me for them to have a career, even if they don’t use it. I don’t want them to go through what I went through.
Mom would be so proud. I can’t believe she’s not here to see it, but I know she’s cheering me on, and this time I am not going to quit, I will see it to the end. I will walk down the aisle at graduation no matter how long it takes. I am looking forward to fulfilling a long-lost dream and no one can stop me. I’m going to be an accountant. I’m going to work hard, and I’m going to do great. I love learning, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store.
Mom, it’s all because of you. Thank you, for all your support, for always being there for me, and for always pushing me. I know how much you wanted this for me, how much you encouraged me. But as you say, everything in its time, and now it’s time to chase our long-lost dream. I now have the power to make it all happen. What a step towards a better tomorrow, I can’t wait!
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