Every year, stories of hope surface on social media after the Bar Exam results are released. While we usually read posts of bar passers honoring their parents for their achievements, it's always heartwarming when it's the other way around.
Such is the story of Napoleon Nazarene Regis, RN, MD from Sogod, Southern Leyte, who shared on Facebook the inspiring bar journey of his mother, Nancy Dejarme Regis, who became a lawyer at 65 years old.
Dr. Regis granted Smart Parenting permission to share how his mom made her lifelong dream happen, against all odds.
'My mother is finally a lawyer at 65'
"[Forty] years ago, my mother chose not to pursue Law and prioritize the happiness and well-being of her three lovely daughters. She got pregnant at [the] early age of 23. She chose to set aside her dreams and put first the dreams of her children to finish school. Life was hard, life was tough, but they all made it through.
28 years ago, she was ready to embark on the journey to become a lawyer, but they were given a different blessing, a gift, and one that they all have been praying for, a son. (Ako, hehe)."
"The strength and sacrifices a mother can make are truly admirable and unmeasurable."
"8 years ago, with the grace and mercy of God, all her children became professionals. She thought this was the perfect time to pursue Law. But a great ordeal came upon receiving news concerning her health. The most dreaded condition threatened her very existence. Major operations were done, she went through several treatments, therapies, outstanding bills here and there, took medications religiously, and prayed day after day.
[A] year of battling passed and she overcame the most feared condition. We said to her that you have fought the good fight already, and its time to live a stress-free, healthy, and happy retired life, but no, she refused to settle there. She continued to work as a government employee, and finally studied Law on weekends whilst being a mother, a grandmother, a wife, and a businesswoman."
"Fast forward to 2020 she officially graduated Law, thereby becoming a Juris Doctor.
In the previous Bar exam in November 2022, my mother took the test for the very first time at the age of 65 years old, carrying with her all our support, with not an ounce of pressure from us. We frequently reminded her that being able to graduate from law school, going through the bar review, and taking the bar exam together with people twice or thrice as young as her age, is already something to celebrate! So just keep calm and take the exam as if it's just another pop quiz.
And just now, the results came out! My mother is finally a lawyer at 65 years old!"
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Dr. Regis declared, "Attorney NANCY DEJARME REGIS. The strength and sacrifices a mother can make are truly admirable and unmeasurable."
READ ALSO: Working Mother Not Only Passes The Bar Exams, But Also Ranks 8th Overall
He concluded his post, "To everyone who is reading this, if you are going through something unspeakable, if you are enduring a silent battle, if you think you are not enough because you lack financial support, you have so many priorities, you feel too old, you feel left behind and if you are dreaming and hoping of something that seems so so far away, hang on to that flicker of hope inside you, and let this be a sign, a testament that in time, in God’s precious perfect time, also YOU CAN MAKE IT!
Congratulations mama!"
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