IN 2006 I started my college career at the age of 54. I was scared out of my mind! So much had changed and what was a computer? Well, I am six classes away from earning an Associate's Degree in Business. But on the way in this journey , I experienced a terible, vicious attack. I wanted to give up and die. My mentor, Ms.B, was a shinig light. Let me explain. I was not doing good at first with my classes, and I wanted to quit school. Well, Ms. B wrote me this on a piece of paper one night;" Accept the challenge so you can feel the exhiiiration of victory!"  I have that framed and one of those terrible days I was sitting at my computer with a gun to my head ready to pull the trigger. I looked at that quote and a light shone on it. I stopped, and I am alive today. I give God the praise for placing Ms. B in my path. She is a Christian and a great instructor. She is my mentor and a great friend. She has inspired me to levels I never knew was possible! My inspirational mentor has kept me going!

Dawny2u2, thanks for having the courage to share your story and know we are here if you need us!

I have had many mentors - my Mom who was a nurse, my Dad who always told me I could do and be anything I wanted and hold on to the tenacity and continue to fight for the underdogs - but learn which fights to pick. He also said take risks because without taking them you won't succeed and if you fail, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and analyze what you learned so you don't repeat it.

My Mom's mom who was plugging for my acceptance to nursing school (it was a long time ago) and died 7 days before I received my acceptance - yes I literaly flew to the cemetary where I read her my letter with tears streaming down my face.   Special instructors and colleagues and friends have helped me get where I am today - 40 years in nursing and working on my masters in Nursing with an education focus because every nurse is an educator and I want to continue to give back and pass it on for the future and future nurses.

God Bless!