Our joy knows no bounds

It was on Wednesday that i reluctantly rang Joanna as soon as I reached home. Samu, as usual, picked up the phone and I asked to speak to Joanna.

Joanna was aggressive as she wanted to know where we both had been. She had been ringing to speak to us, but no one had picked up the phone.

Then she asked me whether I had seen Facebook. I told her I had been busy and I had not. Then she dropped the bombshell.

SHE HAD PASSED WITH MERIT! She was now a full DOCTOR.

10 years had passed. (She thought it was only 9. She had forgotten that first year where she studied the fundamentals!) It has now culminated into her being what has been her ambition from childhood.

Not satisfied with her Master's Degree in English Philology, and her cushy jobs with Nokia Mobile and Nokia Networks, she had become a single mother in Newcastle, had two more children along the way and struggled through all what a person can face, so ably assisted by a few wonderful people, especially her dear friend Ulla and a lovely young girl, Anni, to achieve her ambition.

She has paid a heavy price but the final result has made it worthwhile.

From Doctor Joanna

My mind flashed back to when she had been a bundle of joy for us in 1971. She was a quiet baby and gave us no trouble. (Not trhat our other kids gave us any trouble when they were kids!)

From Doctor Joanna

Joanna had been an outstanding student all through her school life. I used to enjoy reading her half yearly and annual school reports. She really enjoyed life the way I had wanted her too. Her friends and her hobbies were equally of great satisfaction to me. She was no bookworm, but yet she was always doing well in her studies.

From Doctor Joanna

When she finished her High School, both Annikki and I were thrilled to bits by her performance

From Doctor Joanna

And with all her burdens of single parenthood and 3 small beautiful children, Samu (13), Daniel (6) and Maria (2), she had achieved her life's first ambition - to be a Doctor!

I shouted with joy as she broke the news to me. Annikki grabbed the phone to hear the words from her daughter. We both were in shock with joy. I cried at the thought of all this poor girl has been through to reach this.

Well done, Joanna. Thank you Ulla and Anni.

I never had a doubt what Joanna would achieve. And I never had a doubt that she would reach there with nothing but MERIT.