AslansLady

I am 60 years old, the mother of 3 grown daughters and grandmother of 1 beautiful granddaughter, Ashley. I became a grandmother to my first grandson, Roman Jr. at the end of March 2008. I will be a grandmother to a granddaughter (Jaedan) again in July 2010. I graduated with a Bachelor's degree (in Psychology from Corban College (formerly... more »

I am 60 years old, the mother of 3 grown daughters and grandmother of 1 beautiful granddaughter, Ashley. I became a grandmother to my first grandson, Roman Jr. at the end of March 2008. I will be a grandmother to a granddaughter (Jaedan) again in July 2010. I graduated with a Bachelor's degree (in Psychology from Corban College (formerly Western Baptist College) out of Salem, Oregon in December 2007. I have been working towards my Master's degree in Human Services-Mental Health Counseling from Capella University since August 2007 and on March 20, 2010, I graduated with a M.S. carrying a 4.0 grade point average! I will start on my doctorate in Educational Psychology in May 2010. Despite battling R.A. and being on chemotherapy for 4 months prior to graduating, I finished strong and I'm extremely proud of myself. I plan to be a lifetime learner, no matter what the obstacles, for as long as I live!

As someone who only 6 years ago told her husband that "I'm not college material", I can attest that we have it within us to achieve more than we believe we are capable of achieving. Six years ago, all I had was a high school diploma. Now I have an Associate's Degree in Medical Administrative Assistance, Certificate in Medical Transcription and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology-Family Studies. I was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa honor society while in jr. college and Psi Chi national psychology honor society while acquiring my Bachelor's. I have gone from a classic underachiever to a somewhat driven overachiever. I am proof positive that people should never give up on their dreams, no matter what their age!

Last year, I auditioned for the chorus in TVCC's production of Fiddler on the Roof. Not only was I in the chorus, but I had an actual part. I played Grandma Tzeitel in the Dream Sequence portion of the musical. My first audition ever and I got a part! I had a blast and am hoping to one day play Edna in a local production of Hairspray (if it will ever show out here in the sticks).

Last week, I met my sister, Sue (64), for the very first time. We came from a family of 10 children who were all either adopted out or put in foster homes 60 years ago. I was gratified to get to know my sister and found we had many common interests and likes/dislikes. After learning of the tragic lives of some of my other siblings, I have grown to be even more thankful for the blessings God has bestowed on my life. I will forever be grateful that He/She brought me up out of depression and abuse and into a fulfilling life with my present husband. I am also deeply grateful for my daughters and grandchildren and for friends, old and new, who have stood by me through both hard times and good ones. Thank you, Lord, for all my blessings!

Teresa « less