well he did it! after 3 years of juggling law school at denver university, flying for united to pay the bills, 5 kiddos & a crazy busy pastor wife, jose graduated yesterday. yeah! next up: taking the bar exam on july 31st and then it’s really, really over. i have to say, he did it with grace & style. after the ceremony yesterday we had a big celebration with a bunch of friends & family at a cool indoor beach volleyball spot. it was so fun in all kinds of wonderful ways. a highlight: my father-in-law surprised us all with a mariachi band.
a little backstory is that jose’s parents immigrated to the US from el salvador when he was 4 years old. they have a lovely story of starting with barely nothing and working hard over the years to create a life here. they are proud of both countries. jose is an only child and went to the naval academy right after high school to make his mommy happy. he became a pilot & flew for the navy until 1997 when he got hired by united airlines. in 2004 he was preparing for his 20 year high school reunion & looking at our high school yearbook with the kids. in the yearbook was a little blurb “what are some of your dreams for your future?” and he had written “go to UCLA law school and become a lawyer.” the kids were wondering what happened to that dream, and jose realized he had completely forgotten it (sound familiar?). the fun part is that it opened up a crack in his heart and he started to ask “i wonder if i should go for it?” he started walking through the process of seeing what might be possible. nine months & lots of little steps later, he ended up with a full-ride to denver university on a social justice scholarship and basically there was no turning back.
the most beautiful part is that in the past few years he has developed an even bigger heart for advocating for the marginalized. he interned at the equal opportunity employment commission & also milehigh ministries’ justice and mercy legal action center (JAMLAC) and really just loved the people & work. now that he’s done, he’ll keep flying for united to pay the bills and then can offer his time & heart at JAMLAC representing people who normally wouldn’t have access to a lawyer. he is so good at caring and communicating and i am already so relieved to have at least a good first contact for the many people i come across in look of legal help who can’t exactly pay $250 an hour!
ps: if it sounds like i’m bragging, yep, i sure am. sorry i can’t help it! someone’s gotta do it because he won’t.
pps: the pic is of our family, my inlaws & my mom. yes, there’s no doubt in my mind, it really does take a village!