Samantha was awarded and upper 2:1 Degree for her Bachelor of Arts Qualified Teacher Status Primary Education Degree, with Maths as her specialism, on Thursday 15th July at 10.00am in Carlisle Cathedral Cumbria.
I think it will be obvious how proud I am of her, and all the hard work she has put into this degree over the past four years.
Apart from doing a full time degree and raising her children, she never studied at home until they were in bed. She also did holiday cottage work in the summer season to bring a bit more money into the home.
I don't know how she managed it all but she did and Thursday 15th July was the proof of all that hard work.
She didn't aim for a first degree but got close to it nevertheless. Her reasoning was that it would take all her attention from the children and that was not negotiable.
It was worth my having been diagnosed with breast cancer just to see her, at last, fulfill her destiny.
She was with me on the day I was given the diagnosis, as Bryan couldn't drive, just in case I was unable to drive back home again. The previous week I had to drive thirty miles back home after being given a biopsy and that, I can tell you, was traumatic to say the least!
Outside the hospital, after the diagnosis, we hugged and talked. I was happy to think that at least I had seen all my grandchildren born, with the exception of Amy Grace. I had a very dear friend, I told her, who died of cancer and she never got to see her first grandchild. There are blessings in life that you can find, even if one has been given devastating news like I had then.
This motivated Samantha into looking at her life when she thought.."Why not live the life I want right now?"
She missed out on entering the Charlotte Mason University of Cumbria at first, as her school qualifications needed updating. So...a year at college got her the exam results for her to try again. She ended up being accepted this time, making Mathematics her specialism.
Her Maths teacher told her at school that she would never ammount to anything in maths, so her degree has 'cocked a snook' at her, whilst prooving her wrong into the bargain.
Samantha never forgot that teacher and promised that she would always look for the best in every child if she qualified.
Her 'last placement' headmistress, the staff, as well as parents, sang her praises. Straight away they gave her 'supply teaching work' for a week following her placement. Sadly there is no place at that school for her, but she was told they would have her back any day.
The children adored her and she them.
She was also invited to their end of term staff dinner.
Below are some of the photos taken on the day of her Graduation. There are some of her Graduation Ball too.
It was St Swithin's day, the day she recieved her degree. By jings didn't we know it!. It sounded like a battalion of Irish dancers were tap dancing on the roof of the Cathedral. Good job we were all inside at the time.
The 'Parade' of students managed to get inside on time too.
Thank the Lord!
Have a peek at the photos....
Samantha leaving her graduation inside Carlisle Cathedral.
Iain (Samantha's husband) with Samantha's 'study buddy' Steve.
Two of her tutors.
Outside the hotel where the graduation ball was being held.
Samantha looking like a film star at her Graduation Ball.
Samantha's best friend Clare had her mum make this. She went to the trouble of using a diabetic recipe too. Bless her!
Proud Mum and Dad.
I wont be around much this summer as we have a lot of visitors coming for their holidays.
My ex-sister-in-law is coming for a week this Monday and Samantha, hubby children and friend with child will be coming next weekend to see the RAF Display Show here in the Lakes.
No doubt she will stay over for a few more days and then I expect my son to come and visit with his ' Little Munchkins' too.
I have not long said goodbye to my old schoolfriend Maureen who visited me, for the third time since my diagnosis, from Australia. We had a brilliant re-union, putting my diabetes aside, we celebrated all the long weekend with her favourite tipple champagne, catching up in the lovely sunshine she brought with her.
Hollie..Maureen.. Ryan.. dressed up and playing to the 'audience'. lol
Maureen and Bryan.
If you don't see me around much this summer.. I will be back again in the Autumn.
Stay well and happy.
God bless!
