Oh Happy Day!

Last week my brother, Emitt, graduated from Arizona State University with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education with an emphasis in English. I am so proud of Emitt for so many reasons but today I want to give a shout out to him for his accomplishments in graduating. He has put himself through college by working for a travel agency that has given him many opportunities to travel around the globe. While traveling the world, Emitt has managed to stay focused on his education and career goals and I am so incredibly proud of him for it. Last week he flew in for his graduation ceremony from Nicaragua where he is finishing up his student teaching program. Now he is back in South America and will return home sometime next month.

I was so sad to miss his graduation and would have given anything to be there with the rest of our family cheering him on. I also missed Emitt's highschool graduation because I was in Michigan with a 2 week old baby boy back in 2000. Emitt said when he gets his Master's I have no excuse to not be there. I agree and I think I owe him that! I would have been there these two other times if I could have been. Sometimes life's limitations get in the way of what where we really want to be. I was there in spirit both times.

Emitt, I am so proud of you. I'm proud of you and respect you for so many reasons. For the strong man you are who lives with honesty and goodness towards others. For your adventurous spirit. For your creativity. For your sense of humor. For the generocity you've shown all of us over the years. For your tender heart. And for your strong determination to press on when it would be easier to give up. I know this degree is important to you and I know you worked very hard to put yourself through school. I'm so proud of you for staying with it. Congratulations!

Emitt walking the stage:


Emitt with my parents:


Emitt & Stacy: