12/12/12 - Leah and Dr. Suess

Leah's pin - BSN from UNC Chapel Hill

Family attending pinning

12/12/12.  Triple number date won't happen again until January 1, 2101 -  01/01/01 - a whopping 81 years away!   There are many special days, not just ones that have unique numbers.  Sunday was a very special day in our family.  Leah graduated with a BSN from UNC-Chapel Hill.  When you graduate with a nursing degree you get pinned.  Actually, UNC's commencement is not until next Sunday which is somewhat of an inconvenience having the 2 graduation ceremonies a week a part, but Jim and I would not miss either one for the world.  We, along with Jim Jim, Mama Patsy, James, Laura, Clark, Granddaddy, Lauren, Uncle Kecky and Aunt Girlie were there to celebrate and witness Leah's pinning in Memorial Hall on UNC's campus.  The Dean of the Nursing School opened with a speech informing us that UNC's nursing school was the fourth best nursing program in the USA.  Missed being number one by one tenth of one point!   We are terribly proud that Leah is a graduate of such a fine institution!

Since graduation from college marks a new beginning, I have been thinking about Leah and what life story she will be telling in this next phase.  I am confident that she will end up in a great place - where she needs to be  - even though there will be some breath holding while waiting for that job offer!

Leah is my middle child.  Middle children are typically the peace makers and I think that kind of suits Leah.  She doesn't like drama.  She doesn't talk about people unless it is kind.   I got to thinking, "What would best describe Leah as an asset for being a nurse."  So many different descriptions - honest, kind, compassionate, intelligent, steady, intuitive, a hard worker, a quiet,    

Leah and Summer

Leah, Lauren, Alesha and Anne

effective leader - a peace maker.  Nothing ruffles her feathers.  She never toots her horn and she is always there for her friends.  In high school, her friends called her Mama Leah.  Just the other day, Summer, her nursing classmate and roommate said "Leah is like my Mama".  She always has her friends backs - still the same old Leah!  And Leah is loved!  Marta says that you are who you are when you are 5.  It's true.  When Leah was 5, I came to pick her up from her room at Kid's Place preschool.  She was sitting in Miss Pat's lap and had been crying.  Pat apologized to me and said she had to remove Leah from her friends because Alesha, Laura and Adrienne were fist fighting over who was going to sit beside Leah!  Miss Pat said that it didn't dawn on her that removing Leah from group was punishing the wrong girl!  Leah got to sit in Miss Pat's lap and get hugs which was the perfect cure for the girl who was punished for being loved by her friends! 

Leah 5 years old

Every year when Jim and I would go for parent conferences, the very first thing the teacher would say is "Everybody loves Leah".  I mean year after year, teacher after teacher - they all would say, "Everybody loves Leah.  She is friends with everyone."  Maybe that is why she was crowned homecoming queen her senior year. 

Leah and Lisa

Leah, Laura and James

College doesn't look like things have changed because on Sunday at the pinning, I met Leah's nursing professor, Lisa.  Lisa grabbed Leah and pointed to her and said "I love this girl.  I. LOVE. THIS. GIRL!"   That made this mama beam! Lisa was voted by students to give the faculty speech.  She gave a shout out to Leah in her speech (anonymously) and used the philosopher, Dr. Suess and his wisdom to give the graduates parting advice.  It was so fitting!  As Leah continues the story of her life, I thought this particular Dr. Suess quote sums up what I want to say to her!....

“You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So... get on your way!”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!