Never Finish Growing by Lainie

Never Finish Growing by Lainie - November 2015 Scholarship Essay

The year is 2001. I am 21 years old, married, and attending the local community college. Excited about the prospects of fulfilling a nursing degree in the years to come. Picturing my life being a certain way with the timeline I had created. But life has a way of changing things, bringing unexpected bumps and twists. Some of which are mistakes brought onto ourselves, others are just unavoidable jolts that we do what we can to maneuver. 14 years later, with 6 beautiful children, I do not have that degree in my hand. And I am not that nurse working late hours into the night caring for the sick. (Although there have been many sleepless nights with my own little ones;) But life has been good and I have learned a lot about myself. Found out about strengths and weaknesses, and how they can look so strangely alike. Figured out what matters most in life and what I want these next 20 years to look like.
So what I am most grateful for is the amazing opportunity to go back to school. The opportunities that our educational system has to offer for all ages and races is innumerable. From online courses, to night school, to affordable skills programs. What was taken for granted in my early years is now held with such gratitude and thankfulness. It is not only allowed for someone to have a second chance, but supported and encouraged in this beautiful country. Although, looking back, I wish I could have followed through with my educational goals while I was younger; I am so thankful I do not have to live with that regret forever.
The year is 2015. Here begins the second part of my journey. Never too old to start new, never too old to start again, never too old to pick up where things were off.