In 2014, I decided to go back to school. I really didn’t have a clear path of what I wanted to go to school for but I had always told myself “when the kids get older, it’s my turn.” My turn for what exactly, I wasn’t sure, but I knew someday I would have more time to chase the dreams I had to sacrifice because I was too busy raising two kids on my own. 2014 was my time to start. My first few quarters had me questioning if I had made the right decision. I hadn’t been to school in 15 years and had no idea what the ending result would be. To be honest, I didn’t even think about the ending result, I just literally took one step at a time, one day at a time. It wasn’t until this year, that I realized what my passion was. I was meant to help others. I want to help others that have been down on their luck as I have in the past. I want to be the person that empowers, encourages and elicits change in others. In deciding to move forward, I applied to WWU to continue my education beyond my Associates degree, which I will be receiving in June.

For the last two months, I literally run (walk fast) to the mailbox after I see the mailman leave. I quickly shuffle through each piece of mail, in hopes that today would be that day. Day after day, nothing but junk mail and bills. Day after day, disappointment and doubt. Maybe what I did wasn’t enough. I had a few rough quarters but nothing (in my opinion) that was too heinous. I mean, my math courses really gave me a run for my money. Sleepless nights, thoughts of throwing my book and laptop out the window, maybe even slightly hoping that the Instructor would… well, I won’t divulge that thought completely, but you get it. So, many times I thought “Am I too old?” “Does my brain even work the same as these younger folks that potentially are close to the age of my own children?” Maybe I set my sights a little too high. It sure wouldn’t be the first time. The hope was dissipating along with dreams. Who says you can’t have dreams when you are approaching 40. When technically 36 but it’s all downhill from here, so they say. Well, today I did my usual jog( fast walk) down the driveway, and quickly shuffled through my mail. An electricity bill, Coupons for horse training ( Last I checked, I didn’t have one) and my IPSY bag. Thoughts of how I needed to hide my monthly bag of make-up samples from Kharizma ran through my mind briefly. Then there it was. A letter mailed from Western Washington University. Should I open it now? Maybe I should prepare myself for the worst. You know that old saying “ Expect the worst, hope for the best”, well I was expecting the absolute, undeniable worst. In fact, I was sure of what was in that letter. Rejection. Slowly, I walked back up to the house. I sat down at the computer and here I am writing about what the letter revealed.

Dear Christin Crider,

We would like to offer you acceptance to the Human Service Bachelors Program for Fall 2017…

“It’s never too late to be what you might have been”

-BJ Gallagher

Christin.