We have arrived at the 24th day of November. The 24th day of the 30 Day Gratitude Challenge. It was on November 24, 1990 that my world changed forever......for the better.
Life gives us moments that we will remember forever. It was
23 years ago today that an 8 pound 1 ounce baby girl came into the world and
changed a 17 year old girl’s life forever. I realize 23 is not a big deal milestone birthday, but my daughter deserves a blog posting because I truly am who I am
because of an amazing young woman named Alyssa Kae.
It is certainly not easy being a
teenage mother. There are a lot of negative stereotypes thrown at young girls
who find themselves in this precarious situation. Horrible names are hurled at
you, people tend to look at you differently, and you are immediately judged.
From the moment I realized I was pregnant at 17, I knew that life as I
knew it was OVER. I had dreams. I wanted to go places. My dreams of
going away to college were shattered. I had no idea how I would achieve everything
I wanted in life with a baby in tow. But somehow I managed. I went to college,
became a teacher, got my Masters Degree, and managed to raise not just one but
two incredible daughters. However, this blog posting is NOT about me or my life
as Alyssa’s mom, this blog posting is about Alyssa. An amazing young woman, who
at 23 years old is everything I want to be when I grow up!
Reflecting back on the past 23 years, I am proud of the daughter
I raised (with the help of my amazing family). My daughter graduated high
school in the top 10% of her graduating class, was captain of the cheerleading
squad her senior year, and traveled not once but twice with People to People
Student Ambassadors (Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, France, and England) all before
her senior year even began! Not bad for a young girl….but her story doesn’t end
there!
She decided to attend Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory,
North Carolina for her undergraduate education. College took her 550 miles away
from me and I worried every single day she was there. While in college, she
joined a wonderful group of ladies in Zeta Tau Alpha, was a member of the
College Republicans, became a member of the Mortar Board Honor Society, various
other educational honor societies, was a Sweetheart for Theta Xi, studied a
summer in France and a semester in Washington DC, traveled to Russia on Spring
Break her senior year, AND graduated Magna Cum Laude with Program Honors in
Political Science. Not bad for a young woman….but her story doesn’t end there!
My 23 year old daughter is currently living in Washington DC
and attending American University in order to obtain her Master’s Degree in
Society, Justice, and Law, studying Security and Terrorism Policy. She is a
member of the DC Furies, a nationally ranked Women’s Rugby team, works for
American University, has a wonderful circle of new friends, and is not afraid
to explore her world. She has an amazing man in her life who has kept a smile
on her beautiful face and has shown her what it means to be in a true
relationship, where compromise is part of the recipe! She is an absolutely
amazing daughter. Not bad for a young woman….but her story doesn’t end there!
Not only is my 23 year old one of the best daughters in this
world, but she is also the absolute best big sister in the universe. My youngest
looks up to her big sister and their relationship is as unique as each of them.
They are not just sisters; they are truly best friends that no amount of miles
or separation in age could ever keep apart. From the moment Erika was born,
Alyssa started watching out for her and throughout their 16 year relationship
NOTHING has changed.
Nothing in this world compares to watching your daughter
grow into a wonderful, strong, independent, determined, and capable young
woman. And her story doesn’t end there! She’s got roads to travel, places to
go, BIG things to accomplish, and still much, much, much, more to leave her
mark upon in this great journey we call life. Not bad for the daughter of a
teenaged mom…..and her story doesn’t end there!!!
I am so thankful that God chose me to be her mom….
Happy 23rd Birthday Alyssa Kae Everett Beers! May
you continue to be blessed abundantly in this life……because your story doesn't end here.............
Think Thankfully!
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