My mother told me the sky is the limit so she planted determination in I and gave me wings to fly

Furthering my education was always on the “to do” list but a language of fear fundraised voices of doubt inside 

but….

Perseverance, identified with my womanly struggles of postponing marriage and motherhood…and…Perseverance deferred my creative flow by sending my imagination a lifejacket to remain afloat until I was able to reach that finish-line and congratulate that cap and gown…. on a job well done!

Perseverance, awoken pockets of sleeping energy en route to a one woman class room at the kitchen table and taught me how to walk in the shoes of a student, professor, disciplinarian and mentor by shifting my focus and not allowing me to tip-toe around homework assignments nor flirt with the Young & Restless on the couch or “play catch me if you can” on weekends wearing White Zinfandel apparel winking at all the bow legs potentials

On blind dates with the textbook and pen in hand….Perseverance gave me a reflective sight with waterproof glasses to envision a brighter tomorrow ….

That one day my muddy waters will turn into subtropical high tides…. 

That one day zeros on a blank check will follow a career and I wouldn’t have to stretch pennies until they bounce back @ month end and dollars $ signs would be taller than I to afford the bread and butter on the kitchen table

Perseverance, preceded the light in my pupils and gave me a treetop vision of blue skies and unborn configurations so I wouldn’t live the life of Tyler Perry’s Diary of a mad black woman

Through God’s strength…. perseverance turned the pages for 3 1/2 long years when my will-power was so limp on crouches, when I was feeling so fragile wanting to give up and break perseverance only allowed me to bend like a bamboo stick it wouldn't let go of my hand until completion

Perseverance escorted me down the aisle and presented me with my (AIC) Associates in Claims professional designation!