A setback, or just another hill to climb on this mountain we call life

So,I've had a little setback in my plans. I was all on track to graduate from USF this August with my Bachelor's Degree, and was so happy when I got my grades from this past semester showing I'd passed my classes and that I was ready to register for my last semester and apply for graduation. I got on my computer ready to type in those last three courses when in searching I realized something awful...the Creative Writing course I needed to graduate was not being offered until the Fall. The Math and Spanish II were there, but no Creative Writing. One class. Oh geez I was sad. I cried. Then I was mad. How could life throw me this setback? I have worked my tail to the bone this past year making sure I'd graduate within under a year of going back and already facing so many setbacks in life on this path through school I was sure I could not handle this one. I went about my business that night, but nothing seemed right. I was missing my mama more than ever, as she always seemed to know just what to say. The next day, though I slept very little that night, somehow I woke up with a clearer mind. It's okay, I told myself. Things happen for a reason. Okay mama, I hear you coming through my mind. LOL. So I went back online determined to sign up for the Fall and that I did. I got all of the courses I needed, and found that when two of the three I could take during the day while my kids were in school, I almost felt relieved. I've been going to school for night pretty much my entire school career, and knowing my hardest courses I could take during the day and leave me time to study made me see that it's true. Things do happen for a reason. I could spend this last summer home with my babies as my last little one will be headed off to kindergarden and when they leave the baby nest, mama can find time to actually get things done and it not be midnight. Again, part of me still felt bummed about not graduating in August, but when I saw my graduation date become December...I reaized: hey, that is only four months later. I've been going to school with interupptions of babies, life, a very sick mama, and many other interupptions and made it this far in so many years...by God I could wait another four months if it meant receiving that hard earned degree and knowing I would finally walk across that stage wearing proudly that cap and gown. It's times like this we have to not look at what stops us...we have to look at what keeps us going. My mom used to say wisely, "school will be there...for you when you are ready...it's not going anywhere, but you are." I'll never forget her words, and I know on that day in December when I finally graduate, she'll be with me walking on that stage in spirit, and I'll be there as proud as I can be.