Congratulations, Melissa!

Wishing you great joy, Melissa!
Melissa graduated college on Friday morning. She is beautiful and brilliant, and I am not just saying that because she is my niece! We are all so proud of her!
It was amazing to watch this happen. At the end of the graduation, I just started crying. Not the little "oh this is so touching" tears. These were the unstoppable energy tears. Being in the coliseum, surrounded by thousands of people who felt the same way for their family members...wow. It was palpable.
Melissa is the kind of person who changes lives. She has a heart greater than her body should be able to contain. She is loving and kind and sweet and funny and fun. You just feel good being around her.
So it isn't surprising that she chose to become a teacher. I think about the countless number of children who will learn to love learning because of Melissa. She will change the world in the way that is most perfect to who she is.

My greatest wish for her is that as she graduates from student to teacher, from young adult to adult, that she knows that life is for creating. It isn't about just accepting. Yes, be happy for what you have. For those in your life. But understand that you are powerful. You are the creator of your world. You can have everything you want and in the way that you want it. It takes faith. But it is there for you.
The world will tell you all sorts of scary things...bad economy, no jobs, you can't, you shouldn't...don't buy into it.
There is always a need for someone who is extraordinary. And you are simply that, Melissa. Extraordinary.
I love you. Go be your most fabulous self. The world will be that much better for it.