Go Make a Difference

Like many families, we celebrated a college graduation over the weekend. Rylee completed her master's degree in Global Health at Emory University in Atlanta.  Surrounded by her family and friends, we celebrated her, her hard work, her accomplishments and her perseverance in completing this lifelong goal.  To say we are proud of her is an understatement. 

As always, I commemorated the special occasion with a toast in the form of a story and I share it with you all here.  Rylee is truly an amazing person. When I was writing her toast, in the interest of time, I had to omit so much of her life, her journeys and adventures.  When she and I shared some quiet time this weekend, I mentioned that to her - all the places she has gone, connections she has made, people she has helped and she is only 25 years old -  who she is today is a result of her combined experiences, her various mentors, the people she has served and, maybe even a little bit because of the nest she flew out of in Park Hills, KY.  She blows me away with her poise, brains and gentle heart.  I know she will change whatever corner of the world she decides to call home and I am honored to have a front row seat. 

I remember when Rylee was about 15 – I won’t say she was your typical 15 year old because we really didn’t have too many issues or problems even during the teenage years – but this one particular time, we were in an argument about something, and as the mom, I was always sure to never pick an argument that I wasn’t going to win…and this was one of those times…as she stormed off, stomping up the stairs, mad as a wet hen Rylee said, “I hate it here…I am going to do my homework…”  I guess that was one way to get me…by studying.

Rylee had big goals since middle school, interested in the world and what was out there waiting to be experienced and discovered.  As a 9^th grader, she was the only under classman to go on a mission trip to Peru – a trip I credit with truly igniting her passion for serving, helping our environment, and further sparking her curiosity about the world. 

9th grade Rylee
heading to Peru

In college, she spent a summer in Nicaragua, on her own dime, extending her trip by volunteering in a scuba shop, taking daily scuba trips to tend to the polluted coral reefs, mastering night dives and living her dream. 

In Nicaragua, we would go days
without hearing from her

Always up for adventure -
hiking the Grand Canyon

Intership at the Newport Aquarium    

 Her study abroad in Spain, introduced her to working with underprivileged populations, while also completing her near fluency in Spanish.  There have been other adventures, internships and projects – honestly too many to name here. Suffice it to say that at every turn, Rylee has taken advantage of life’s possibilities and used them to further her goals.

Enjoying a visit while in Spain    

When CV19 hit in 2020, Rylee was on her senior spring break trip.  As she sat on the beach celebrating one last time with her college friends, the world around her was closing down.  I will never forget her phone call to me that some of her friends were leaving their trip early due to the panic around the virus, then when she got back to campus, she found her in person classes cancelled – no chance to say goodbye to her professors or classmates. She completed her degree online, “graduated” virtually and had her much anticipated, hard sought Peace Corp assignment to Rwanda taken away.   Her well laid plans, years in the making, completely altered – graduate from Clemson, Peace Corp for two years, grad school, career.

As her mom, this was probably the lowest I had ever seen Rylee.  She had always been resilient and was able to deal with life’s disappointments with poise and grace, but this setback, coupled with some personal struggles and on top of what almost every new college graduate experiences as far as anxiety and sadness and wondering what to do next – it was almost too much.  It was hard to watch and hard to let her experience it without stepping in and fixing it…She had to move home, her worst nightmare, live with me and Steph and Joe, something she could never have even considered.  Like all 2020 grads, she went about trying to find a job in the worst economy of her lifetime.  It took her about two months to right the ship in her mind, to reconsider her goals and how to achieve them – to make the most of the hand she had been dealt.

Internships can lead to JOBS! 

Needless to say, she did just that because here we are 4 years later, and she is still accomplishing the next step towards her ultimate goal.  She didn’t do it the way she thought she would with the Peace Corp and then grad school, but she did it and I think even she would admit that the work experience she received at Healthy Moms and Babes is going to benefit as much if not more than the Peace Corp experience. 

Moving to Atlanta, by herself, knowing no one and, academically, going up against some of the nation’s best and brightest – she never backed down.  She made new friends, got a job, then got two – she volunteered, she made connections and built relationships that will last a lifetime. 

Graduating today with a 4.0, that she fought for every step of the way – group projects be damned – and winning the esteemed “Excellence in Research” award – I could not be prouder.

Rylee, as you stand here on the threshold of your future, I want to tell you how much I love you and admire you.  Your unwavering determination and commitment to your goals has impressed me beyond words. Through late nights of study, countless hours of research, and the occasional moment of doubt, you persevered, never losing sight of your goals.

Today, is a testament to your academic achievements, but it is also a symbol of your unwavering commitment to excellence. Your dedication to your studies, your passion for learning, and your thirst for knowledge that have brought you to this moment.

But beyond the diplomas and accolades, it is your commitment to service that is most impressive. Every step of this journey, you have touched the lives of those around you in many ways, serving those in need, bettering their lives and making a difference in the world.  I have no doubt your journey will continue along this path.   

As you embark on this next chapter, know that the world is yours to conquer. Armed with your education, your integrity, and your boundless determination, there is no challenge too great, no dream too big for you to achieve. Remember to always stay true to yourself, to never lose sight of your values, and to continue following your passions with steadfast conviction.

I will finish with this from Jessica Jocelyn.

“If I could keep you little forever, I wouldn’t.  As much as you are a part of me, you don’t belong to me. You belong to the wind, the moon, the stars.  Your heart is going to change the world and make it a better place and, if I’m lucky, I will be here to watch you do it.” 

Shine brightly, Rylee! I love you, Prost!