Awestruck

 …Eaton, Ellis, Everett…

My mind raced as the speaker read the graduates names and I contemplated my future, awestruck. Today was the last day and the final step of my journey. Receiving my MBA from Haas Business School for my startup in empowering girls in third-world countries through literacy, technology, and athletics was the final and greatest accomplishment of my life so far. None of this would have been possible without you, Mom.

…Fisher, Foster, Fitzgerald…

Anything is possible. That’s what you always told me, and even though I didn’t always believe it, I lived it. Now here I sit, awestruck. This impossible vision became a possibility for you through diligent sacrifice. You gave up everything in hopes of a better future. You left your entire life and home, only bringing along a heart of love and dreams to power you toward the fulfillment of your vision. By doing so, you showed me that anything is possible.

…Galvin, Griffith, Gunter…

You taught me. Through all the late night rants and cries, you always had my back to console my worries and gave me guidance each step of the way. You came down any free chance you had, just to spend an afternoon together grabbing a dinner or to help me do my laundry as I studied next door. Whenever I wanted to quit and give up, I thought of you and how you persevered even through the hardest of times. I followed your work ethic in always striving for the best, but made sure not to let life get ahead of me. Thank you. Thank you.

…Hastings, Hernandez, Hickman…

Upon beginning my startup, your vision became my reality. What you taught me will allow me to carry on this legacy to empower those in the third world countries. They will realize that through hard work and dedication, they can achieve great things and eventually establish a life for themselves, just as you left your country and home. They will see your tremendous, compassionate energy as I echo your overused commands you engrained in my head over and over again. They will feel your love as you taught me to always help other and to sacrifice of myself for the greater public good.

…Hong, Hopkinson, Hutchins…

My journey will be a success, just as you so wisely told me, Mom: anything is possible. Without  you, I would not have become the person I am today and who I strive to become in the future.