I received an email from Jennifer, gently reminding me that I had not posted pictures or any congratulatory words regarding Clay’s recent graduation from law school, let alone that he actually earned TWO degrees in the span of the typical three years of law school. 
I smiled to myself as I thought about writing something and posting photos. You’d 1) need to know that Clay turns 55 in a couple of weeks, and 2) he began taking the bar exam this morning, and 3) well, you’d just need to know Clay. The man never stops.
While most people in their 50’s are seriously putting their thoughts into retirement, Clay began law school, thus fulfilling a lifelong dream of being a “lawyer.” 
As I pondered that thought, I realized that there are some life rules that Clay would want to share with our children and grandchildren (from my keyboard to God’s ears that they’d even figure out what girls are first).
Life Rule #1: It ain’t over until you’re dead.
Every single day you wake up on this side of the grass is a blessing, a gift. Don’t waste any of them. It is never too late to do anything your heart desires. You’ve heard it a million times in your life, but it’s true; try not to wait until your in your 50?s to start living.
Life Rule #2: Your words have power; choose them wisely.
One day, in response to something Clay asked (and who knows what that was), I told him that if there was anything that disappointed me about him, it was that he never went to law school.
Apparently, he took those words to heart.
He said he wanted to pursue whatever steps it took to use his C.P.A. certification to practice in tax court.
Again, me and my big mouth: “Why not just go to law school?”
Life Rule #3: Be careful what you wish/ask for because you just might get it.
See last sentence in Life Rule #2. Nuff said.
Life Rule #4: There will always be setbacks and obstacles in any endeavor; meet them head on and don’t back down.
Shortly after the required testing for attending law school, our first obstacle came along: I fell quite ill, and no one could figure out what was wrong with me. As the months passed, we continued to make plans for him to attend law school in San Antonio, but when we still didn’t know what was wrong, he offered to pass on law school.
Absolutely not! End of discussion.
Life Rule #5: Failure is not a crime, unless you give into it.
If you get up every single day, you will fail. It’s a fact. Get used to it. It’s not that you fail, but what you do with the failure that will define your life.
Clay’s first semester was not at all what he hoped it would be, and I think he may have considered quitting.? Thankfully, quitting is not in his vocabulary. (After all, he didn’t give up on our getting back together, and that took 25 years!) He stuck with it and things went much smoother after that semester.
Life Rule #6: Alter your plans if necessary.
Clay was already on the fast track to finish a semester ahead of everyone else in his class (no surprise there), but decided that he’d also like to earn an additional degree, the L.L.M., which is the law degree equivalent of a Master’s degree. This would require that he move to Georgia for a year, complete the final 7 hours of law school, plus take an additional 12 hours for the first semester.
Oh, and also continue to run his C.P.A. firm.
I admit this was not one bandwagon I jumped on right away, but in the end, I supported his decision and he moved to Georgia.
I won’t even go into what a fiasco the moved turned out to be, but Clay turned the experience into another law degree, so it ended well.
Life Rule #7: Take time to celebrate your accomplishments with those who supported you and love you.
Sadly, Clay was unable to attend his J.D. graduation in San Antonio in December, so his diploma was mailed to him.
However, for his L.L.M. graduation, the folks, the boys and I drove to Macon to watch him receive his diploma. It was a wonderful day, and we could not be prouder of him and his accomplishments.
Clay honored Bill with a Stole of Gratitude (the orange scarf-looking thing around Bill’s neck). Clay and Bill share a love of all things academic, affording them a special bond.
Clay, we are all so very proud of the things you’ve accomplished, and will continue to be amazed at the things you will accomplish.
We love you!
Love,
Shari
Thanks so much for finally sharing this, Shari. I’ll be sharing this post with many people, including my team.
Love you, Clay, the boys and of course, the dogs.
~Jennifer
Clay, my darling almost son. Couldn’t be prouder of your accomplishments and your drive to succeed – outstanding!!! You are a blessing and an inspiration to us all.
Shari did an excellent job on her post, don’t you think?
Congratulations also to Super Shari. I greatly admire her “stand by my man” attitude and perseverance in the face of near disaster at times, while managing to climb the many “mountains” in spite of temporary set backs. Shari and Clay – together all the way.
Do not know of two more deserving people – does that mean “you deserve each other”? Of course. Have a wonderful life together, dear ones!!
Love, Mother/Nita
Had a fine time seeing Clay get his degree
He gave me an orange Emery College stole.
Now I can go anywhere on the Campus and do
anything I want there. They will just say
” There is one of our old senile alumni”
GREAT !
That’s hilarious, especially since it was Mercer University, not Emery College.
Of course it is Mercer, just had that to see if you were alert. ! Maybe it will work at Emery also
die alt bengel
Perhaps it will work at Emery College, also? He seems to get his “way” no matter where he goes or what he does. 🙂
Of course it is Mercer College, not Emery ! Just
put that to see if you were alert ? Maybe it will
work at Emery also. ??
die alt bengel
Thank you, Shari, for sharing this. I am so very proud of both you and Clay in the demonstration of the strength of your love and devotion to each other and your dreams through these trials. Hopefully you have worked through the worst of the storms for a while. I am so looking forward to your wedding.
Love you, all!
Pat