My Supports

I am blessed to have many supports both in my personal and professional life.  My family has always been a great source of support in my life. Through their encouragement, praise and support I have been able to make through my undergraduate years at UT, away from home.  I was the first in my family to leave home for college and though I was excited I couldn't have made it through without the frequent visits and phone calls from my family.  I truly believe it was their support during these early college years that contributed to the success I have found after graduation.  I was able to find a major and career path that was meaningful to me, unlike so many of others I know who were forced into majors by their families; who were not supportive of their liberty to choose for themselves.

My husband is a great support as well. His support is evident in our home life and my work life.  I am able to work late sometimes and attend school functions because I know that our daughter is happy and taken care of at home with her daddy.  Without his support I would not have been able to return to graduate school.  Imagining myself as a single mother is terrifying. On the few days when I have to get myself and my daughter ready for school on our own, I experience what it might be like to not have my husband around. My work life would suffer because I wouldn't be able to dedicate as much time to it, and I would have to take off every time she got sick.  Having a second pair of eyes and hand around helps with the simple tasks like making dinner, getting laundry done and grocery shopping. I have to utmost respect for single parents because I don't know if I would have the strength to do it on my own.