Yesterday I received some astounding news from my daughter Nikki. She has been awarded a PHD Studentship at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.  She will be working with Professor Richard English at the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence within the university’s School of International Relations.

Nikki has had an amazing journey. We live in a small neighbourhood (Merritton), in a relatively small city (St. Catharines). She started school at St. Christopher Catholic Elementary (one of the smallest schools in the Niagara Catholic Board), continued to Denis Morris Catholic High School and graduated from St. Francis Catholic Secondary in 2006. She worked hard and was rewarded with a full scholarship to St. Thomas University in Fredricton, New Brunswick. When an unfortunate accident abruptly ended her studies at St. Thomas, she persevered  and a pursued a new path at Carleton University in Ottawa. While holding down a full-time job, she managed to complete a four year BA (Honours) in Interdisciplinary Studies in three years, receiving a Carleton University Senate Medal upon graduation in 2010.

It comes as no surprise to those that know Nikki that she would succeed academically, she’s one heck of a smart cookie. What amazes us  and inspires us all is Nikki the person. Throughout it all Nikki has remained the same loving, loyal, giving person that she has was born to be. to be in her company is a pleasure. To be her friend is a privilege, and to be her mother is the most humbling. In her birth announcement twenty-three years ago, I referred to her a my “gift from God”. Those words are forever true.

Thanks Nikki for sharing your gifts with me, your Dad, your Sister, your Gramma, all your Aunts,  Uncles, cousins and all your special friends.

Thanks Nikki, for helping me understand that by letting you discover your place in the world, you have allowed me to discover mine. Thanks Nikki for proving that  by letting go of the apron- strings,  the heart-strings would grow stronger.

I love you big much.

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