She walked out onto the tarmac; he tagged along beside her. They headed up the steps, his impatience really starting to show. How long, how long before the plane takes off, Mommy?

They find their seats; he wants one seat just for his special stuffed animal friends. They have a discussion; he gives up the extra seat. The plane is totally full. Soon, it taxis down the runway, and lifts flawlessly into the air.

It is a spectacular day. Sunny, breezy, sparkling sea, blue and turquoise, glare, small white caps, all of it registering but not really seen. She looks down at the island called home, so tiny, so remote, so insular, so comfortable and comforting. It fades into the distance, a small spot of green and white specks. Comfortable, what is she thinking? Since her son was an infant, it has been anything but comfortable; it has been a challenge just to put food on the table. For the last three years, the constant refrain in her brain had been, you could do better; you know you could do better if you had an education. She looks down at her dear six-year-old son; he's fast asleep, just wore himself out. The journey to the rest of her life, scary and overwhelmingly exciting was now. A good day for a new beginning ? she smiles and her thoughts drift.Shegrew up in a very modest two-parent Bermudian family, the eldest of three children. Her mother was remote, and never fostered a loving or nurturing relationship with her oldest daughter, something that she, as the child desperately craved. Her mother always blamed the children for her not having a better life. Consequently, the negative message constantly reinforced was ? not to have any children because all they do is hold you back.

Was her mother bitter because of her own unfulfilled dreams? She would never understand the rejection. Now, her dad, he was quite the opposite. Full of fun, optimistic, he loved life and his children. Her dad always felt that things would get better. It was not to be. Barely graduated high school, her dear father, the foundation that kept her family together, dies. She puts a brave face in telling of the most devastating life events a child has to bear, the loss of a beloved parent and family disintegration.

Family bonds and trust in her mother deteriorated rapidly. Within a year, her mother left Bermuda, taking her two other siblings; they being little, had no other choice.

She remained here with relatives. Still grieving, at the age of 17, now alone, self-supporting, and in a serious relationship, she moved to an apartment. One year later, she had a son; parental responsibilities and the sheer daily cost of a baby jolted her world.At three months of age, her son went to a baby sitter and she went job hunting. With no skills, she took what she could get, a messenger position. Within nine months, she was promoted to a customer service representative. Three years later, she moved companies, and was promoted again. Then, she hit a dead end in the upward mobility game. Every job she saw advertised in both government and private sector required at least an associate's or bachelor's degree in business. The message was clear, no education, no advancement.

She was determined she was not staying in the struggle like many of her friends, never reaching her goals and full potential. In leap of faith, she decided to go to college; to be more employable for the future; and to provide a better life for her son.

The Bermuda National Training Board provided help (and partial tuition) with finding a college placement. She obtained bursaries and other scholarship money, making up the shortfall from her own carefully hoarded savings. How does a mum who is a full-time student manage to find the time to nurture a child and excel? They have a routine that that they stick with and she tries to be as organised as possible. Rather than an impediment to progress, having her son with her has been motivation for them both. She has maintained a 3.98 GPA, while he has emulated her study habits, a serious approach to his work at such a young age. She finds it amazing that children do imitate their parents. It has been a struggle to survive, but they are inseparable and support each other, this tiny family unit.

She is the first person in her father's family to have earned an associates degree. College has been a rewarding experience; the exposure alone has broadened her view of the world. School may not be for everyone but if you are given the chance, be brave, take the risk and go for the gold, she says. With no family support available, she is proud that she financed this on her own. She is now 26. With vision, determination, discipline and courage, this young woman is a success. Who would not want to hire her?

In fall 2004, she will return to Bermuda to work and to enrol (probably at night) into the Bachelor's in Business Management. She has future plans to complete a designation in accounting or a Master's Degree. She will be looking for an entry level management trainee position in government or the private sector. These are her own words, edited for confidentiality and rephrased for content.

I encourage readers to send me their education success stories to share and motivate all of us.