7 years ago, my mom, who lives in Alabama...

7 years ago, my mom, who lives in Alabama, graduated from law school in LA (yes, Los Angeles, not Lower Alabama). She did the same work, and then some, as anyone who would pass the California Bar.

This was all at the age of 60.

She did it because she knew it would be a great continuing educational experience that would boost her decades-long career as the compliance officer at our hometown hospital in Alexander City, Alabama.

Next year around this same time, I hope to be following in her footsteps in my quest to enhance the career that I've already had so much fun building and doing.

Not because I'm bored or can't find a better way to spend my money and definitely not because I want to change careers. I'm doing it because I want to properly prepare for helping make the world a better place than it is today, starting right here in my community and in my city, and starting with the career I already love so much.

Thank you, Mama, for being such an incredible role model. I'm so proud of you. And deep down inside, I really know that you secretly did all this to show me and my brothers that we can do anything we set our minds to.

ANYTHING.