DePress,

You are such an inspiration! Hurray for you.

I, too, am the first of all my relatives to earn a degree and I payed an incredible price in time, work, jobs, etc. to get there. It means a lot more when you have to work for it.

Your story reminds me of something that happened while I was in class. I was working three jobs and taking care of my Mom, and another family member. I made the top grade in a class. The two that got the worst scores were drinking alcohol in class and blurted out that they were sure, ( The prof put the curve on the blackboard.), the person who made the top score was some pampered housewife who had nothing to do but sit and eat bonbons all day and that they had more responsibilities than that person could ever imagine.

I didn't say anything. They were busy throwing up in the bathroom during class break. It wasn't worth it.

Anyway, this is long winded and I'm sorry for that, but you are an inspiration to one and all. I wish they would do a story on you in your college's newspaper.

Hugs,

Jan