My Mom saw me Through My State Exam!

OK, so, I know I've gone on and on about my school, but I can't help it, this must be my year. I PASSED MY STATE EXAM!!! YEAH!!! I am officially a certified educator for the state of Texas. I can't believe it. I'm completely done with school and got fingerprinted yesterday for the state board of educators.
I guess I'm surprised I passed the test because I took it on what would have been my mom's 50th birthday. Then, I look back on where my life was going and I look again at where I actually am going and I amaze myself. I shouldn't be this far along. With a lifetime of set backs, I have really pulled through and conquered some huge mountains to get where I am. None of it came easy, but I did it.
This December marks the 10th year that my mom left me. It's a hard way to end the year, but what pulls me through is that I am ending it with a graduation, something she would have loved to have seen in person. I know she's looking down on me and is proud, and for that I am grateful, but no one loves you like your momma. Luckily I have a great family, and I can't forget my dad. I don't know what I would without him. He's turned into one of my biggest supporters. He, for the first time, called me a teacher a few months ago. He checks in regularly to see how things are wrapping up before graduation. And Jason, what a sport. We've had a tough road too, and I've been trying to get finished with school for so long that it almost doesn't seem real. He has told everyone that we know, and even a few people we don't know, that I am graduating.
Every year I learn more and more about what family means to me, and every year my family holds me up and allows me to follow my dreams. My dreams finally came true. I can't thank my family enough, and my friends.