Last Saturday, at the University of Redlands Greek Theater, about 70 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, Debbie Houston graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in business with honors (a straight A student, with but one A-).
Why is that such a big event? Debbie who works full-time, is approaching her 50th birthday. Yet a few years ago, she decided to also earn her degree, which meant long and strenuous hours of study.
On Saturday, after Debbie graduated, there was a spark of joy in her eyes and a glow in the smile that lit her face. For she was justifiably proud of herself and that was the most important part of her graduation.
Debbie saw what she could accomplish if she applied herself and she learned how smart she really is, although she is far too humble to ever acknowledge what I just shared with you.
Will Debbie next pursue her Master's Degree? Over a congratulatory dinner hosted Sunday evening by her grandmother Mary, I asked Debbie and I loved her answer. She said she first wanted to "contribute to life," meaning to use what had been her study time to help others.
Then "in two years," at the age of 52, she plans to start on her Master's Degree, which she projects will take three years to attain. If so, she will graduate at the age of 55, a time in life when many people start to contemplate retirement.
But for Debbie, there may never be a retirement for in recent years, she has grown immensely as a compassionate person and the trajectory of her growth is amazing. It seems Debbie's purpose in life is at least in part, to uplift the lives of others. And one of the lives she may one day uplift is yours dear reader.
Dick
Note: Debbie's graduation was attended by her 20 year partner Stacy Hayworth, their adult children Austin and Morgan and Austin and Morgan's companions, Gina and Alec. Also in attendance was Debbie's and Stacy's adorable little grandniece, 7 year old Bailey.
Debbie's parents, Ed and Gwen Houston were also there, with Ed having gotten his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Redlands in the 1980's. Anne and I and Debbie's grandmother Mary Houston were there as well. We were among 3,000 or so attendees seeing over 600 students graduate.
When Anne, Mary and I arrived, the Greek Theater was packed, with virtually no more seating. But the attendees were so kind, that when we could find no seating for Mary, who is nearly 90 years of age and legally blind, people cleared a place for all three of us and helped Mary get seated. It was very touching to witness such kindness from people who only moments earlier we had never met.
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