The School of Hard Knocks

My mother often joked she had gone through the school of Hard Knocks, an accredited University established at the beginning of time for all of mankind. Unfortunately, this University does not have graduation ceremonies, diplomas, dormitories, sports teams or mascots. This University has graduates worldwide who do not have a site on the Web for their Alumni Network. But fellow graduates recognize each other instantly. The school of Hard Knocks offers only one degree, and since it is such an arduous journey to earn the degree it is at the pinnacle of the hierarchy of Degrees, beyond Doctorate. Many students from the School of Hard Knocks drop out before obtaining their degree. They give up. It is not an easy Degree to Achieve. My mother definitely had it. It was a Degree in Wisdom. She must have graduated Suma Cum Laude since my mother was one of the Wisest Women I had ever known.