Graduation pride ..on a day I never expected to see
Pride is a word I have used in a number of circumstances about others and occasionally myself over the last few years. But this past week I experienced pride in a reflective way for my eldest kids, Hayley and Ben.
Hayley received her degree in history from Swansea University after three years’ hard study. She has grown up so much in that time. I had enormous pride watching her receive her graduation papers with my family all there too.
Hayley has a further year’s training to be a teacher but as the first member of my family to go to university she has already proved what can be achieved so long as you want it enough and you try hard enough.
I shared the day with son Ben, who chose not to go to university but did an apprenticeship.
He studied at college while doing a day job and ended up with distinctions in all his exams. That hard graft, again over three years, enabled Ben to get a fantastic job (without the university debt that Hayley has!). So I am also immensely proud of Ben too. They both have shown what hard work and desire can achieve.
When told four-and-a-half years ago that I may only live 24 months, I never thought I would be around to witness all this.
So that makes me proud of the doctors and nurses who have helped me still be here.
I hope that you, too, are proud of someone in your life and, if so, make sure you tell them.
Otherwise how will they know? It really will make a positive difference to them.
Until next week
Hayley and Ben have shown you can achieve good things if you really want them enough...
Kev