As I approach my seventeenth year of incarceration, I am amazed by everything I have accomplished throughout the years. In my first two years I set my mind on receiving my Hi-Set/GED. A goal I had casted long before I position my feet onto LCIW grounds. A dream I tried to complete numerous times, and failed due to motherhood.
When I decided I didn’t have excuses for not attending school, because nothing was holding me back. I jumped at the chance to attend Hi-Set/GED courses. However, I had to conquer a huge obstacle first. My life sentence would stop me from attending school for a season.
I was perturbed and discouraged. I couldn’t grasp how my sentence could limit me from receiving an education. The mere fact that my life circumstance could tell me no!! once again. My emotions were running wild. I wanted to scream.
Have you ever felt like giving up because life seems to throw you fireballs all the time? Feeling hopeless with no energy to fight back because there is no fight in you? I can understand because I too have felt the same way when I was rejected.
However, I didn’t give up on my goal. I had to dig deep within myself to pull out the courage and fight the injustice of my situation. I had to calm my spirit from all the pain and discard. I began to pray to God for strength to give me a push mentality.
At this time, I was assigned to the laundry washing clothes for 2000 women.
I had to hold on to my dream and have faith that one day I would attend school. Two months passed. I still was working in the laundry; it was a hot sunny Monday morning. I was sweating, working hard. I heard my supervisor call my name, and she told me to go to vo-tech. I answered her with okay. I walked to vo-tech, and I entered through vo-tech gates, and I was pat searched by the vo-tech officer. She tole me to go to the educational office to speak to Ms. Bee. I did as I was told, and I spoke with Ms. Bee. Ms. Bee informed me she would put me on an educational review period to attend GED/Hi-Set class.
I was very elated. I thanked Ms. Bee for giving me the opportunity to succeed.
I entered GED/Hi-Set class in 2010. I graduated in 2012. The following year I entered New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. I graduated from NOBTS in 2019, receiving a BA in Christian Ministry.
I have also obtained a paralegal certification, Ser-Safe certification, and many other certifications throughout the years. I am blessed to have believed in myself and gathered the courage to wait until my dream manifested.
I encourage anyone who dares to dream to reach for your dream and like Nike, Just Do It. doors will open; you just have to have the strength to walk through the door.
No Comments