Sarah's Promise

"I'm sorry Sarah, but if we don't receive $5,000 by the end of the week, you will have to withdraw from the class. It's not fair to those wait-listed who have the funds." Sarah hung up the phone and dropped her head into her hands. But no tears fell. There were no more tears that could fall.

Sarah immediately went in to what her mother referred to as her 'okay, what's my next move' mode. She reached into her ever present backpack and pulled out her well-used little black book. It was a gift from her Grandmother Mazie when Sarah graduated university 3 years prior. It was even more precious as she lost her grandmother almost one year ago. It was a loss she felt every day. That little black book held her goals, hopes, dreams, and even fears.

Sarah pulled out her favorite gel pen and wrote, then circled '$5,000 by the end of week'. She then looked over her list of options for getting that money, most of which never panned out, and let out a big sigh. She had to complete this class. This class stood between her and a promise she made to her grandma.

"Sarah, I never made it past 8th grade. I dropped out when I got pregnant with your dad and married Poppa. You get that education I never got!" Sarah remembered waiting for her parents to pick her up after school and completing homework in Grandma's kitchen as she hummed hymns and cooked dinner. To some, the humming would have been a distraction. To Sarah, it was the soundtrack of her life.

Sarah rose from the couch, stretched, and decided to go down and check for mail. It was probably all bills and flyers. As she opened her box, she saw a large yellow envelope rolled up inside. It was addressed to her with the name and address of a law firm in Wilmingtom, North Carolina. Her family was still in Wilmington, but why would she get something from a lawyer?

As she read the letter she immediately recognized the handwriting. It was from Grandma Mazie! With tears in her eyes she read,

"Dear Sari, I love you and I'm so proud of the woman you are becoming. You are everything I ever wanted to be. I know it's tough on your own, but you are my smart, strong girl. I wish I had more. I've saved this since I had your daddy. I pray it is a blessing to you in some way.

I love you My Sari! Grandma"

Tears flowed down Sarah's face. Only her grandma called her Sari! As she wiped the tears away, she saw a large rectangular piece of paper fall to the floor. It was a cashier's check for $20,000! Once again, Grandma Mazie provided Sarah with the love and support she desperately needed. She would fulfill her promise to Grandma Mazie.