Day 7: Someone who has made my life worth living for

I can think of more than one, but I will keep it to two.

The first person who immediately came to mind was my great-great grandma Berry. That's right, two "greats" - I was lucky enough to have met and known my great-great grandma. I have always admired her. She lived until she was almost 101. She passed away when I was a freshman in high school. I will never forget her. She was an amazing woman. She achieved so many great and notable things in her life.

Because of her, I have always been passionate about education. She was a teacher. I went to college to become a teacher and now work in higher education, helping high school students chase and achieve their college dreams. I help them reach their goals of a higher education and career preparation. I will now be stepping back into the classroom this fall, teaching college freshman strategies to academic success. I am honored to be offered the opportunity to teach again and to teach at a prestigious University. Thank you grandma for instilling that drive and passion within me.

My grandma was a farmer's wife, teacher, mother and so much more. To me, she was a superwoman. She did it all and with patience, grace and ambition. Whenever I think I can't go on, life is too hard, I think of her.

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My mom is another person who has made my life worth living for. She is another superwoman in my eyes. She was a young single mom, raising 3 children. She made mistakes along the way, but she taught me that no one is perfect and life sometimes cannot be planned out. I learned how to think on my feet and improvise because of her. She is a strong, brave and tough mother, but she loves me and my brothers.

Growing up, there was no question I would go to college. My mom didn't finish college. Raising 3 kids is tough to go to school. Because of this, I chose to attend a private liberal arts school, where I knew I would get the best college education in an environment where I would thrive. She worked tremendously hard to pay for my tuition, as did I during the summers (this was our agreement). My mom raised us by leading by example. She worked hard, so I worked hard - I wanted to be just like her.

I strive every day, even now, to continue to make my mom proud. I will be the first in my family to graduate with a Masters degree this spring......my mom is so excited for graduation. She has always wanted her children to be able to have the things she never had growing up. She is selfless person. I hope one day I can re-pay her for everything she has given me.