Today would have been my grandmother Harriett’s 84th birthday. And while the ache of her absence is still very real, I feel her presence more than ever as I take this next step in life. I am going to law school.

My grandmother passed away in August 2023, and not a day has gone by where I have not felt the weight of that loss. She meant the world to us. She was strong, confident, loving, endlessly supportive, and joyful in the way only a grandmother can be. She made everything feel possible.

To be honest, it still does not feel real that she is no longer with us. That she will not be here to see me walk this path I have dreamed about for so long. That she will not be on the other end of the phone to say, “I’m proud of you, baby.” It hurts. Deeply.

But even in her physical absence, I feel her spirit guiding me.

My grandmother always believed we should pursue the things that mattered most. She encouraged us to dream big, to stand tall, and to never forget who we are or where we come from. In our family, we stand together. We lift one another up. And we move forward with faith, resilience, and love.

She believed in me. Long before degrees or titles, she saw something in me. And she reminded me of it often.

So today, as I say out loud what I once only whispered, I am going to law school. And I say it not just for myself, but for her. For the sacrifices she made. For the love she gave so freely. For the example she set every single day.

This is not just about a degree. This is about living a dream that has been in my heart for decades. This is about honoring my purpose and preparing to serve others with greater understanding and strength. This is about doing the hard and necessary work to protect what is right and to stand up for what is just.

I am sad she is not here to see this dream come true. But I know with all my heart that she is looking down on me smiling. And I know she would say, better now than never.

This is for you, Grandma.
Thank you for believing in me.
I carry your love with me into every classroom, every case, and every step of this journey.

I miss you. I love you. I will make you proud. Dr. Edward Summers Law School