The sweet smell of success is in the air – graduationsuccess.

I had told myself I wasn’t going to write about it, but here Iam anyway.

I can’t help it. I have to brag a bit. I happen to be the proudmother of a nursing school graduate! My daughter Liana walkedacross a stage a little over a week ago to receive her nursing pinand diploma for an Associate Degree in Nursing.

Where has time gone?

First it was kindergarten graduation, and it seemed not too longafterward there was a high school graduation. I blinked again andshe graduated from college.

Before I know it she will be off into the work world putting hernew knowledge and skills to good use. She will be getting on withher life.

Dennis and I are very proud of her and how hard she worked tosucceed.

Nursing is not for the faint of heart – in several ways.

Liana said her nursing class began with close to 60 studentsabout two years ago.

Thirty students graduated last week, but only about 20 of theoriginal students from her class walked across that stage. That’show hard it is to pass and succeed in nursing school.

The students themselves aren’t the only ones who know how hardnursing school can be, as was evident from the many people presentto cheer on their favorite nurse graduate.

The college auditorium was packed with family and friends ofthose 30 nursing students who had made it through hours of examsand clinicals. As each one stepped up to receive their pins anddiplomas, I could see the relief in each of their faces, as well asan eagerness to start a new chapter in their lives – not to mentionthe great big smiles of success.

I not only shed a few tears for my own graduate, but also forseveral others. I could see they, too, were thrilled to make it tothat day.

Nurses are special people and it’s not a profession cut out forjust anyone. I couldn’t be one. I don’t have what it takes. I thinkit takes a special person to give the type of care that nursesprovide.

I have several friends who are nurses and they’re all superpeople and great at their jobs. My hat is off to you guys.

And speaking of graduates, I also want to congratulate all thearea high school graduates. You guys have reached just one of manymilestones in your lives.

Most of you have probably noticed the special graduate pages thepaper has been running the past few days. This is one of myfavorite projects each year.

It’s so encouraging and exciting to think of what lies ahead forthese new high school graduates. The whole world is theirs toconquer. They have the opportunity to be or do anything theirhearts desire.

Each year we send out questionnaires to all of the area highschools. Each senior is asked to fill out a biography form, whichlists their parents’ names, club memberships, school activities andhonors. It also asks the student if they plan to attend college andif so where, and what career path they plan to follow.

I wonder out of the hundreds of graduates how many actuallyfollow their original plans and how many go into the fields theyactually choose.

When I graduated from high school 30 years ago I had plans to bea computer programmer. Little did I know then that computers wouldbe staples in most people’s homes. And yet, here I am doingsomething entirely different.

Every year when I’ve compiled the graduate listings there areusually one or two professions that generally stick out thateveryone plans to follow.

This year I can say, without a doubt, the profession of choiceis nursing.

If you’re a nurse or a recent nurse graduate, congratulations onchoosing a very honorable and rewarding profession.

If nursing is something you aspire to be, then my advice to youis to study hard and be committed. It isn’t easy.

I wish my baby girl a long and happy career in nursing. I knowshe’s going to make a great nurse. Congratulations, Liana!

And how was your week?

Write to Tammie Brewer at P.O. Box 551, Brookhaven MS 39602,or send e-mail to tbrewer@dailyleader.com.