Hard Work Will Pay Off!

I had a former TRF student pull me aside earlier today and tell me the stuff I taught her last summer in my Technical Writing course is helping her succeed in her current position in her company.

She'll graduate in a few weeks, which I could tell from her body language she was extremely excited. I'm proud of her, and I told her that, and I'm happy that my role of providing her with whatever knowledge, resources, and tools from my previous courses has helped her in her career.

I taught it; she applied it.

I remember last summer, rather late in the semester, she told me she was pregnant with her second child. I was happy for her and congratulated her on her newest member to her family— a baby girl.

You could tell she was excited yet worried about her future as it related to her last semester, which was the upcoming fall. I told her to keep doing what she's doing, for you've the passion and work ethic to make it through the program; your daughter will make sure that you do.

And here she is, a year later, a new position, a healthy baby girl born around Christmas time last year, and a degree in hand in a matter of weeks.

My only regret is I didn't ask her for some more of her breakfast Lumpia she made and provided last fall. That was a surprising treat last fall. She is from the Philippines, so her Lumpia was the real deal and made with love from her culture.

Her name truly fits her: Grace. She embodies everything behind the meaning of her name. I'm confident she'll tackle and overcome anything life throws her way. The amazing thing about that is Grace displays her confidence now. Her smile and body language just shine with it.

It's a good feeling, and it's a good sight to see. I bet she moves up the TRF ladder; Grace should, for I believe she deserves to move up in time. She'll provide grace and her own form of greatness to whatever position she sets her mind and abilities on. She knows that now. I knew it last summer.