September 29, 2024
“YOU CAN HAVE ANYTHING THAT YOU WANT BUT YOU MUST BE READY, WILLING AND ABLE TO WORK FOR IT!” DONE!!!
Dear Mommy:
I wanted to let you know the impact of your words of wisdom that you gave me more than 40 years ago, before your passing in 1987.
You told me “You can have anything that you want but you must be ready, willing, and able to work for it.” No greater words can be attributed to my success than these words.
You left truly before it all happened so let me tell you what you missed.
You may recall that the week before your death on June 27, 1987, I graduated from high school. I was the Mother of 2 little girls and I was able to walk across the stage and graduate with my high school class. I was ready, willing, and able to do the work to finish high school. Done!
I was devastated by your death because I was now a 17-year-old full-time Mother with no Mother. I was also in an abusive relationship and I felt stuck. Daddy soon moved away and I was left in a relationship with someone who acted as if he was now my parent. He wanted to control me and physically abused me when I did not let him have his way.
Within a year after I lost you, I gave birth to my youngest daughter and, within 6 months of her birth, I ended the relationship with my abuser. I was ready, willing, and able to live and save my daughters. Done!
By September of the same year, I began college studies at our local Community College. I was working full-time during the day and attending school in the evening. I was also a single Mother of three beautiful little girls. I was ready, willing, and able to start the dream that began when I was seven years old. Done!
After so many ups and downs, twists and turns, I was able to graduate with my Bachelor’s Degree. By the way, I was also the Homecoming Queen and the Student Commencement Speaker for my College graduation. My daughters lived with their paternal Grandparents in Alabama to allow me to finish school and I was ready, willing, and able to do the work to obtain my degree. Done!
Following my College graduation, I was engaged and a couple of years later, I was married to a wonderful man. My children came home soon after graduation and were all present at my wedding. My Fiancée found a home for our family and we all started our new journey. I was ready, willing, and able to create the life that I wanted. Done!
A few years later, and I know this will not surprise you, I applied for and was accepted into Law School. I deferred for One (1) year before my new husband had emergency open heart surgery. All was well and I started Law School the following summer. I was accepted into a program that prepared a select few students for the rigors of law school study. I was ready, willing, and able to make good on the dream of becoming an Attorney. It is what I told you I wanted to do when I was 7 years old and it was the dream that you assured me that I could accomplish. Done!
So, less than 20 years after you left me, I graduated from Law School and I was honored again to be selected as the Student Commencement Speaker. You would have been so proud, I was on the stage at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fischer Hall and I delivered an awesome speech that I was told motivated everyone in the audience of several thousand people. I was ready, willing, and able to share my journey because it was a journey. Done!
Mommy, as the years have gone by, I have never forgotten your words and although there have been times when I was frustrated or not willing for a moment to do the work, I have always known that I can have anything that I want but I must be ready, willing and able to work for it. I am still working and getting it DONE!
Thank you, I hope and pray that I have made you proud.

Sincerely,

The Apple of Your Eye,
L’Tanya Monique Watkins