It's been a long journey.
Two years of full-time school.
Three insanely stressful exams.
Three years of working on the job.
Today marks the end of the beginning.
Today I'm officially professional - with an extra five letters after my name.
I'm not sure what that means.
Statistically, less than 1% of the population in the province has the qualifications that I do. I guess that's supposed to be significant. I guess that has value. I guess that's something to be proud of.
But I haven't bothered to tell anyone except the few people that "must" know. It seems they are more excited than I am.
Years ago, when things were going downhill and I felt defeated, I received a gift. A friend gave me something that she had originally bought for herself. She gave it to me because she believed that I would be able to fulfill the dream that it carried. This person had tremendous faith in me when I didn't. This person gave me the strength and courage to continue on. This person, whether she knows it or not, motivated me to be a better person.
I'm sorry, my dear friend. I've failed you (yet again). I did not fulfill that dream. I did not take that path. Perhaps it was too difficult, mentally and emotionally. Perhaps, in your words, I didn't want it bad enough. Perhaps, I just didn't try hard enough.
Today, I've reached a different destination. You were not by my side while I made this journey, but deep down inside, you were my greatest source of strength. You were the reason I can tell myself that I'm going to make it. You were, in part, the reason I need to "win".
If only you could be here at the finish line.
If only you could be proud of me.
CPA, CA
