The Sign . . .

Late last night, I heard that familiar “CHIRP” on my phone. Even though I was already in bed, I had to get up to see who the text was from. . . I know it’s an addiction...

What I saw was a picture, a picture that to all of you would mean nothing, but for me it gave me chills of pride and joy!

The picture was a sign on a door, not just any sign, it was a sign with my nephew’s name on it. You see, he just started his career as an attorney.

Seeing that sign brought back so many memories of all his “firsts” . . . his first word, first step, first hit in T-Ball, first A on his report card and oh . . . how the list goes on and on. . .

and I was there . . . there for all the “firsts”, not just as a gloating Aunti, but as his “second” mom . . . as my sister has always says . . a role I cherish so, so deeply for both he and his sister.

I remember . . . how as a very young boy, when people would ask, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” He would always say with such conviction, “I’m going to be a lawyer!” And people would smile and think how cute . . . but you see . . . he was serious, he really did want to be an attorney.

I remember . . . looking for colleges with him, colleges that would help him reach his goals . . . because yes, he still wanted to be an attorney.

Then it was law schools, which would be the best fit? Which would be the one to help land him a job?. . .

I remember . . . law school graduation, so proud, so, so proud . . . but on that day it was very anticlimactic for him. . . because next he would have to pass the bar . . . the test that determines if you will practice law.

I remember . . . last summer when he was studying for the California Bar . . . his fears . . . how overwhelmed he was whenever I talked to him . . and it was hard, hard to talk to him because there was nothing to say but give words of encouragement. . . because you see this was the test that would determine it all . . determine if he would finally begin his dream.

I remember . . . the night . . . 4 months after taking the bar . . . waiting to hear if he passed . . . sitting waiting for him to call . . . oh how I remember . . . how that night dragged on until . . the phone rang and we heard those words . . “I passed.”

I remember . . . my sister and I bursting into tears. . . tears of joy and pride because he did it! His dream would finally become a reality . . . even though in the back of our minds we had the same fears as he and so many young people today have. . . a dreadful job market. But again, I had words of encouragement, stay positive . . . it will all work out.

So you see, it was not just any sign for me . . . it was seeing someone I love, come full circle and reach a long time goal! Congratulations Honey!!!!