What does it take to make a PhD?  Years in the making, beginning with the first years of schooling, per my friend Connie and her hubbie Andy McCreight.  Amanda was always a bright child, but more than that she was driven to help others overcome physical adversity, as she herself had to.  Diagnosed early in life with lupus, she had to struggle with the side effects of so many medications, it’s amazing that she could overcome the fatigue to push through to this magnificent achievement.  She received her PhD in Nursing from UTMB, and begins a career as Director of Nursing at College of the Mainland.  We celebrated in style last night at the WineNDine.

Connie outdid herself, legendary in her cajun culinary talent, she topped Paul Prudhomme, with a magnificent chicken & sausage gumbo, crawfish pie, and pecan tarts.  To make this a truly memorable occasion, her sister’s Patricia and Cathy came early to decorate with glitter and gold.  Of course the only non-drinker in the crowd, that would be me, manned the wine table; while our blue-tooth expert, Nathan, set up the finest in country-western tunes for some down-home dancing.

As we gathered to bow our heads and ask for blessing over all, the youngest member of the family, Brady, stole the show with his very own blessing.  Maybe a preacher in the making?  Brady was definitely the co-star of the evening, as Amanda’s step-son, he made it plain that he was seriously considering entering the medical field as well.  One of the most precocious eight-year-olds I’ve met, I have no doubt he could find a cure for cancer if he set his mind to it.  He has his dad’s talent for salesmanship, and his grandfather’s keen intellect, a lethal combination:)  His grandparents, originally from Columbia, were a special story as well.  Grandfather came from Columbia, on a grant, to study petroleum engineering at the Colorado School of Mines.  They have made a wonderful life for themselves in the Woodlands, and even kindly endured my pitiful attempts at Spanish:)  They won my heart.

As dinner progressed, and wine flowed, many more stories were shared, making the gathering a memorable night.  Connie and Andy shared that they both stayed very involved with their children, even through high school and college.  Through their nurturing guidance, they have every right to accept part of the congratulations on Amanda’s success.

 

As the evening wore on, and the sun began to set, we moved outside to toast another day of memories, gentle salty breezes, and a glorious sunset over the gulf.  As we finally parted Amanda turned to me and said “I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect graduation celebration.  Thank you.”  While I did so little, compared to her mom Connie and her aunts Patricia and Cathy; it made my part in this celebration a very special memory.   So blessed to know this family:)