Day 12, January 13, 2023
Let’s go back and examine a pivotal point in my life.
After being academically expelled from my university, I discovered that my area’s African American community had counted on me to make a difference for their boys and girls. In other words, they were pointing at me, encouraging them to do what I was supposed to be doing.
My mom and dad were greatly disappointed, and I sank into a deep hole of desolation. I found out that skipping classes to play cards and not concentrating on what I knew I could do, brought unnecessary pain to others and myself. I got a job working for Gracewood State School and Hospital for the mentally ill. There, I slowly found my way back to God by doing things God’s way and not my own.
A year later, I was back at the university. In the very first quarter, after returning, I started making the Dean’s List, which is a recognition of those students who maintain an A average throughout the quarter. You might wonder what happened.
I discovered the speeches of the former coach of the Green Bay Packers, Vincent Lombardi, a Christian that lived what he preached on the field with his team and off the field with his family.
One of his quotes kicked me hard in my gut, and I changed it so that it would fit me, and I practically learned it by memory. Here is his quote that I altered to fit myself.
In order to succeed, I will need a singleness of purpose, a dedication, and I will have to convince all of the people I encounter that can help me along the way of my willingness to sacrifice.
With that quote buried in my heart, I was always on Dean’s list during my last two years of college. And I have lived to see some kids who know me make a difference in their lives.
I am still working on my list. The two most significant projects I plan to complete between today and Monday.
My Continuing List consists of the following:
- I am revising the first 10K of my new novel. It usually takes me at least four to six days to fix 10K. I like to send her what I call my final draft so that she understands the direction I’m moving in.
- I have a letter to write. I had decided to wait until after the Challenge, but my gut is telling me to do it now, which is what I will do.
- Answering emails and text messages, Daily
- Attend my writing classes and do my homework,
- Go to the bakery (Completed this morning before I went to my office.)
- Pick up fresh fruits (Completed this morning)
- Do the accounting books for the Romantic Women Fiction Chapter of the RWA.
Have a lovely day.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia
Hi Pat! I firmly believe it was no accident that you discovered that speech! I also look at any “failure” in life as an opportunity to come back stronger. Looks like you did that in spades!!! What a wonderful story, thanks for sharing.
Best wishes,
Donna M Atwood
D M Atwood
https://www.dmatwood.com
I was happy to read you returned to college. I didn’t enjoy learning and school until I attended university. Learning turned from a chore to an adventure. And since I loved to learn, I did well and earned high grades.
Hi, Susanne,
Thank you. Learning has never been a chore for me. I loved school and the university too. I got mixed up with the wrong crowd. Instead of learning, I was playing cards. Just that plain and simple.
Shalom aleichem
Pat, you fall down but you get right back up. You can’t be successful without failure. Keep on going!
Pat, an inspiring post. I’m glad you found the encouragement you needed at that time in your life – or maybe it found you!
Pat–I had a checkered college career as well. I went to college full-time, days, for two years. My grades were mediocre because I had to work part-time and was also commuting. In my freshman year, I played basketball, too. (That’s back when they let short women play!) After two years, my parents told me they had no more money for college. They were tenth-grade dropouts, and I was the first person in the family to attend college. I got a full-time job as a secretary and finished my degree at night–a few semesters, I took five classes and worked full time. I made the dean’s list every semester while I worked and went to school. I guess I was focused by that time. I was living on my own then and didn’t have chores at home, like I did in my first two years. It’s strange to look back on those years now. I’m so happy you persevered and are who you are today!
Hi, Pat! It takes courage to own up to your mistakes and change course the way you did. You’re an outstanding role model to your family and community. You proved that perseverance in the right direction can overcome the consequences of early choices, and who doesn’t make mistakes? You also found God along the way, I know from personal experience how life-changing that is. As this challenge continues, I may have to start confessing to some of my early gaffs! Or maybe not.
Blessings!
Patty
Kudos to you for persevering, Pat, and for owning up to your actions. A higher education was ingrained in me from the time I could understand words. Lol! I graduated in the top 4% at my high school (3.85). I made the dean’s list for my bachelor’s degree (3.85), my first master’s degree (3.98) and my second master’s degree (4.0). I don’t consider myself overly brilliant. I just made sure I completed every assignment to the best of my ability. I know the hard word it takes, and I commend you for sticking with it. 🙂
Yvette M Calliero 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Hi, Pat! When I was in college, I made the Dean’s list every semester, with the exception of my first semester. I like to jokingly say that, “They didn’t know me yet,” although it’s what I believed in my heart. “They weren’t watching me… yet.” Because of this, I, of course, expected my daughters to follow in my footsteps. Yep, I did.
My oldest daughter made the Dean’s list ALL semesters of her first 4 years of college, and my last baby made the Dean’s List only in her first semester. Why ONLY in her first semester? Because “they didn’t know her yet.” She was on the President’s List every semester after that first one, and I was so proud, I was married to those notices that they would mail to our home, congratulating her on a job well done.
One semester, “my” notice was late. (Notice I said “my.) She was home on break at the time so I stepped into her room and looked at her with my left brow raised. “Where is ‘my’ notice? It hasn’t arrived yet.” She knew what “notice” I was referring to because I loved those notices and looked forward to receiving them at the end of each semester.
“I don’t know, Mommy. I suppose they’re running late, but I AM on the President’s List,” she assured me. And, as she said, it was running late because it did eventually show up, and I’m glad it did when it did because I was on my way to phoning the university.
My daughters are super intelligent beings, and I am always grateful to God for allowing me to parent them while they are here. We always want our children to do better than we did, and mine have surpassed our expectations hugely. But, I later learned that I was putting immense pressure on them, especially that last one, to bring me those “notices.” I think what they represented to me (the DEAN’S LIST and the PRESIDENT’S LIST) was that they (my daughters) were doing what they were there to do – not just there to go to college for the sake of going (as many do), but to go and master college. All my daughters have Masters Degrees and the youngest is going back for her PhD… not for me, but for her.
Pat, I can only imagine your parents being disappointed in your being expelled from college, and for academic reasons, at that, but how great it is that you returned and they got to see that you could do what they already knew you could? And, it appears that an entire community was hanging on your achievements so that you could reach back and show others how to travel the road that you had. Talk about pressure – a lot was riding on your shoulders.
“A singleness of purpose – a dedication – and the ability to convince all those who could help you, of your willingness to sacrifice.” My daughters have been showing up in these three areas of life since they could form full sentences, and I’m so proud of them for it. I’ve no doubt that your parents’ hearts swelled with pride when you “showed” up, as well.
Thanks for sharing and taking me down my own memory lane!
Great piece, Pat. See, all you need is determination to succeed. What card games – bid wiz?
Nothing in our lives is ever wasted. You didn’t give up after you were expelled, but you changed direction. And look at you now!
Happy weekend, Pat.
Have a beautiful day, Pat!