Knowledge is King

This is Sad Sam. He went everywhere that I went for about 2 years. He was a gift from family friends Ron and Jill and though he seems like any ordinary cuddly toy he brought with him a message and a goal. A goal that I've finally achieved.

If there was one thing Ron and Jill instilled in me from an early age it was that knowledge is king. From a really young age I was encouraged to read. Presents were mainly books, encyclopedias and anthologies, trips were to museums and art galleries. Any other time spent together and Ron would tell me war stories or where he got a particular souvenir that decorated the vast and colourful living room which was home to his amazing book collection. Yes, knowledge is king he'd say. And I agreed and enjoyed every second of it. Became a book worm, did really well in school, won prizes. All because of them. I owed it all to them.

Sad Sam stayed with me, carrying his little message. Carrying my hopes of one day going to university, graduating and wearing that hat proudly myself. I'll dedicate it to Ron and Jill I thought. They'll be there for sure. I'll make them proud.

Ron passed away last year.

Yesterday I graduated with a BSc in Chemistry. I did my parents proud. My little sister whooped as I went on stage. I felt like an extra from the Harry Potter movie. And although Ron is no longer with us I still dedicate it to him. You're right Ron, knowledge is king. And you'll always be my inspiration.

There are other people who helped me get here. My parents, my family and my friends. To all of them and anyone else who has ever extended a kind and supportive word and wished me well, thank you.