“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
It’s June, ladies, and you know what that means, right?! Either someone’s getting married, or someone is graduating.
And I am totally blessed to be able to partake in the latter… my bonus daughter’s college graduation!
Yes today, along with many other families, we are celebrating this momentous occasion, watching our baby girl Brianna, receive her well-earned, well-deserved bachelor’s degree.
But my Ladybug (her beloved nickname) is not your ordinary 22-year-old girl. She is a beautiful, mature, 35-year-old woman, who decided to pursue her dream of receiving a college education and stuck with it, regardless of what curveballs life would throw. And true to form, life would throw her many.
Rising Above Adversity: A Daughter's Unbreakable Spirit
Like many of us, who have experienced gut-wrenching pain from a situation beyond our control, at the age of nine, my Ladybug had to go through the pain of losing her biological mother to cancer. And although nothing could prepare her for the enormous hole left in her heart, she will tell you, her mother passed along a legacy of faith in her that would not be undone.
Brianna also learned how to pivot, as we frequently do when unexpected blessings knock on our door. At twenty-one, my Ladybug welcomed her first child (my grandson), who she considers the joy of her life. Embracing motherhood, she opted to put her ambitions to attend college on hold.
As a young mother balancing her work and child-rearing responsibilities, Brianna managed to enroll in a few community college courses here and there. Then life struck one more terrible blow. Before Ladybug could reach her 30th birthday, her stepmother passed away, followed soon by her biological father, leaving yet another hole in her heart.
So, by now, I’m sure your mouth must be wide open, holding your hands to your hearts and saying, “Goodness gracious, this is so unfair!”
It sure feels that way.
But as many of us mid-century women know, through all of life’s ebbs and flows, through the beauties of new birth and the sorrows that accompany a story’s end, mastering the seasons of our lives requires a steady hold onto the Foundation of our faith.
And sure enough, my Ladybug has chosen to do just that, overcoming unimaginable adversity to reach this significant milestone in her life.
Lessons Learned: Inspired By Each Other
Brianna, my Ladybug, has been a part of my life since her middle school days. As the mother of three boys back then (now I have several more), Brianna was a welcome addition. And though I did not give birth to her, she could not be more of my daughter than if I bore her myself. I am honored that she calls me “Mom” and as I watch her graduate today, I can’t help but reflect on the life lessons we’ve learned from each other.
For me, Brianna is the personification of perseverance.
I’ve seen her “power through” the late nights of studying and her weekends filled with projects, presentations, and PowerPoints, while still managing to watch over my teenage grandson’s schoolwork and attend all of his many athletic endeavors, which is no easy feat. (He’s a triathlete.) Yet throughout all the difficulties, setbacks, or struggles she’s endured, she’s never settled for “giving up” as her go-to option.
When it comes to the lessons learned from me, my Ladybug calls me her ultimate support system, her trusted confidant, her best friend, her mirror for truth, her example of kindness, her prayer partner… her “Mom.”
Of course, my heart smiles.
A Shared Milestone
For all of my mid-century mommies, I’m sure you can relate to graduation being more than just a ceremony when it comes to our children. It’s more than just the pomp and circumstance or the showy regalia. It’s more than just a celebration of their hard work and achievements.
For each of us, the occasion may speak differently; though to all of us, I believe it speaks volumes of the love, dedication, and support we have poured into their journeys. Moreover, it speaks to the pride we feel as we watch them step into their futures.
On this special day for our daughters in their mid-thirties and beyond, who may have traveled a different path, while holding on to their scholarly ambitions, their journey is a testament to their strength. It’s the evidence of their resilience and a validation of their efforts to “dream big,” no matter what.
I watch my bonus daughter walk across the stage today with tremendous pride and immeasurable gratitude. I am proud of the woman she is and of the woman she is becoming. I am eternally grateful that I can share in this moment with her, standing in the gap for Sandra—who is beaming with excitement from heaven—and being the bonus “Mom” who cheers her on every step of the way.
To Brianna, my Ladybug… you put the “B” in bonus daughter. B, as in brave, B, as in beautiful, B, as in our Beloved. May your graduation be just the beginning of pursuing your passions and defining your own success. At 35, you’re showing the world that it's never too late to chase your dream.
So go ahead and rock that cap and gown, girl! You’ve earned it!
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