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Reflections

Today marks one month before the last scheduled day of classes that will complete the requirements for my bachelor’s degree. Reflection, I suppose, is a part of the process in preparation for the next steps toward my future. It feels weird to say that at this stage in my life. I’m almost 50 years old. Ten years ago, when I started college, I never could have imagined the life I’m now living. I had been content in my first life.

Staying home to raise and homeschool my kids was an experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world. I taught all three of my kids to read. They taught me math. (I say this with a wink and a nod because math always came very easy for them.) We explored nature together and discovered history together. But most importantly, their love of learning sparked a bug for learning within me.

After my kids went into public school, I started working as a paraprofessional at their school – a small-town combined junior-senior high school in Woodhull, Illinois. I had that job for almost five years, and while I enjoyed working with the students there, the position didn’t pay particularly well, and I didn’t receive any pay over summers, holidays, or snow days. Clerical work was something I knew I was good at, but even employers who stipulated that a degree wasn’t a requirement passed on the opportunity to hire me. It became clear that gaining an education was a new step I needed to take.

I thought I’d just attend a community college for a few years, (however long it would take to earn an associate degree taking classes part-time), and assumed I’d just look for a position as an Administrative Assistant. I already had experience in that line of work but needed the official piece of paper that proved I knew what my resume said I did. While at Black Hawk College, I participated in the school paper for three semesters as part of my degree in English. That opened a new world to me that revolved around writing, editing, design, and publishing. It was then that I realized I wanted more out of my education.

Today I am very excited and extremely honored to be featured in the Magid Center’s #WeWriteWednesdays. Last week when they asked me to write up a short blurb about my experience with the University of Iowa and the Magid Center, it sparked even more reflection. I often talk about my college experience as my second life. But lately I’ve started to worry that because I refer to this as my second life, that my kids – who were my first life – might think they have less importance. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I am able to do what I’m doing now because of them. Being their mom and teacher helped bring me to this point, helped me to find the strength to take steps and make decisions for myself that I never dreamed possible.

It’s hard to believe that I’ve raised three young adults who are now making lives of their own. I’m so proud of them and the paths that they are on. Maybe not everything has worked out for them, but they have made the best of whatever circumstance they found themselves in, and then tried a new path. And that’s what I’ve done, as well. Thank you, Chloe, Jacob, and David, for being my first life. Even though I’m exploring new facets of life, the foundation of raising you will always be my greatest accomplishment.