Moving from young adulthood to her experiences as a nontraditional student at Pace University, Rivera chronicles her path to independence in this poignant essay about determination, support, and sacrifice. Evoking powerful images, she introduces the people and forces that served to inspire, recharge, and steady her resolve to succeed in her second chance at college. The role of faith is clearly articulated in this story of a student whose identity as a mother serves to remind her why her persistence is so important.