Sometimes I feel like a graduation is like a gift to the parents. It is as if they have been holding their breaths for the last 20-over years and keeping their noses on the grind. They run like crazy, swinging their arms forcefully when their legs will no longer carry them, all the while worrying if they will make it to the finish line. They are also worrying about the journey. Will it be easier on the child if I ran a little bit faster?

My parents have ran long and hard, and they continue to do so. One of the reasons why I was so eager to finish my studies was so that I can relieve them of some financial burden. I know my international school fees were a heavyweight. The sooner I was done, the better.

Now that I am done, I hope they can breathe more easily.

And I hope that they are proud of me. Actually, I know they are proud of me. I pray that I will make them serially proud of all that I will accomplish in the coming years. Be it career-wise or raising a family. I want them to be proud of me because I know that without their support, I will not get very far.