My friend Gwendolyn graduated with high honors today. Today she achieved a dream she has had for many years. She's not one to rest on her laurels. She's now working on the next one.
I met Gwendolyn a few years ago at church. She had just moved to Miami from Trinidad & Tobago. I would see her walking to church with a smile on her face. Considering that almost everyone drives in Miami, that smile was worth more than most. Gwendolyn has no car. She takes the bus everywhere, including to the senior home where she would volunteer regularly, as well as school and work. Anyone who has ever had to wait for a bus in the Miami heat can tell you it's no fun. But I've never heard Gwendolyn complain about it.
Gwendolyn has 4 grown kids back home. She misses them terribly and hopes to be able to make it home in November to see the youngest one graduate. She's a proud Momma. Today the kids were the ones full of pride. They were not here in Miami to see her graduate. She has no family here so she invited our Pastor and his wife, another church friend and myself to partake of this momentous occasion with her.
Two days ago Gwendolyn told me I'd have to arrive early to the commencement exercises as the President was going to be there. "The President of what?" I asked. "The United States." "Oh! That President! Cool. I've never seen him in person before." Gwendolyn would have an extra memorable graduation with the President there. Stories to tell her kids back home.
Today I felt all giggly inside as I saw the President of our country perhaps 60 feet from me delivering the commencement speech at Miami Dade College. I love pomp and circumstance. I love tradition. My eyes would sometimes drift up to the screen where I could see a bigger Mr. Bush and I would quickly remind myself to look at the real man instead as I would most likely not have this opportunity again. He had us all laughing and applauding. Then the President of the United States mentioned Gwen by name and my jaw dropped. The President was speaking about my friend! I could not believe it. Gwendolyn embodies what this land of opportunity can mean to people who realize the value of it. She came here with dreams. One was to get her degree and by golly she had done it. She busted her tail in the process but her faith never faltered and she had not given up. President Bush was speaking of Gwen. Now that was a story to tell your grandkids! My chest had swelled with pride when I realized Gwen had different tassels and regalia than others because of her high honors. Now I was about to bust hearing the President speaking of her!
If you press me real hard to relate this story to real estate it would have to be this:
- You can have everything stacked against you and you can still make it.
- Hard work and dedication do pay off.
- Stay focused on your goals and you can achieve them. My friend Gwen did. And today the President of the United States of America acknowledged her hard work. Wow.
I'm so proud of her!
You can read the President's speech here.
Maggie Dokic, SFR is a licensed real estate broker in the state of Florida selling residential real estate in Miami, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Coral Gables, Gables by the Sea, High Pines, the Redland and other select areas of SW Miami-Dade County.
Maggie has earned her SFR certification to be able to better serve the needs of her customers in today's non-traditional real estate market. SFR is a Short Sale, Foreclosure Resource Specialist. Designees have been trained to understand the highly specialized options available to Sellers facing short sales & foreclosures and Buyers looking to buy them.
For more information on our local real estate market, or to see or sell a home in Miami, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Coral Gables or the Redland, visit my Miami Real Estate blog or contact me at Maggie (at) TheBlogThatAteMiami (dot) com.
The opinions expressed herein, are those of the author, and not necessarily of Prudential Florida Realty.
Maggie,
What a story. Thank you for writing about your feelings, your friend must indeed be special. Jay and I saw the president a few years ago here in NH. What a feeling it was and the crowd...he had them in stitches. This is something you and your friend Gwen will always remember.
Monika - thank you for your thoughtful comment. It really was an experience I will forever cherish. I still can't believe I was in the same room with him.
Janie - thank s but I think it must have been 103 or something. I decided not to do anything for my 100th post as I had been getting too much attention this week already. I think 100 was a Localism post. It went by unnoticed, just the way I wanted =)
Hi, Maggie!! WOW, congratulations to Gwen!! She sounds like a remarkable woman in any regard, but to have the president rave about you -- how many people get an honor like that?! WOW.
Maggie, you cheered your friend on in STYLE. This is thoughtful and made me feel like I was right there in the moment with you. AND you linked it to real estate, too! Five of five, Maggie. Five of five! (You've done it again!!)
Yay, Gwendolyn!!
I'm so proud for your friend! Having the president there! Wow! But the most important thing was that you were there for her. My son has not endured what Gwen has. But when he turned 18 he gave me fits, refused to make classes ended up working for $10 and hour. You know the scene. But it was his choice and I couldn't do anything about it. Then he got married and had two children. He finally realized $10 an hour would not support a family. So with my daughter's help he went to college at night. My daughter Amanda picked up my grandchildren after work each day and kept care of them until my daughter in-law got off work which was usually around 9:00 at night. This went on for several years! Finally this last December..My beloved Son Graduated from College. A hard thing to do part time and with a family and working during the day. But best of all he graduated with the highest honors and a grade point average of 3.98! He not only struggled to get his degree..he got it with great effort and Pride!
I'm also proud of my daughter for doing so much for her Brother!
Here's my son Damian, wife Angela and my 2 grandson's, Justin & Kaleb! My son & Daughter Amanda
Beth - yes, I found that remarkable as well. I enjoyed re-reading the speech online. I need to pick up today's Herald. I heard she made the front page!
Hi Sarah! - Gwendolyn was beaming yesterday and again at church today. If it were me, you'd have to pry that smile off my face months later! She told me afterwards that the Secret Service had contacted her prior to the day and even asked for her social security number so they could check her out thoroughly. Imagine!
Danny - what an inspiring story. You must be so very proud of your son. And what a handsome family you have. Your grandsons are gorgeous. God bless them!
Valerie - I am proud of her. I've seen how hard she works to get everything she has. She's an inspiration to us all.
I have pictures from yesterday and will post them later. I haven't had time to get them onto my computer yet.
Maggie
Thank you for sharing this uplifting and inspirational post. Great job by you and your friend.
Danny - SHE DOES!!!! (You didn't ask me, but SHE DOES!!!)
Hi, Maggie! A very good family friend of ours (he was like my extra brother) was dating the daughter of the ambassador from ... I can't even remember now!! This was nearly 20 years ago. Anyway, he brought her over to meet my parents and my parents had to go through a background check like that before she was allowed to visit, and her bodyguard came with them.
Again, congratulations to Gwendolyn!! I bet she's STILL SMILING!!! :oD
Ed - thank you for your thoughtful comment. I appreciate your stopping by =)
Danny - yes, she does! I hadn't realized that. Sandra Bullock is my favorite actress. I think she's beautiful, smart, talented, well....you get my drift. I love her!
Sarah - can you imagine if all visits were like that? We'd have a lot less of those annoying "drop-ins" for sure!