One of the toughest girls in the world

[Bluzmann57]

My cousin, Kelly, had a birthday yesterday. she's 24. That in and of itself is unremarkable, young ladies and gentlemen all over the world are turning 24. But Kelly's story is kind of inspiring, at least to me.
You see, her mother, who is now deceased, slept around and was in and out of jail many times. As a result, Kelly still doesn't know who her biological father is. She was raised by her grandfather who is a tough old guy, but has had several health problems over the years. Anyway, Kelly persevered, got straight A's her senior year in H.S. and went on to college. She got a scholarship for softball and some grants because she literally had no money. She was told by some teachers in H.S. that perhaps she should pursue a career in either education or law as she was very adept in those fields. But after her mother died, Kelly chose nursing. She is a sensitive caring human being and she was close to her mother in spite of everything. So she felt health care was the way to go. She held down a full time job managing a local (delicious) ice cream parlor, and still made the honor roll in her last semester at college. Now she is a full time nurse at a well known local hospital in Illinois. She is a lovely person, both on the outside and more importantly, inside as well. And she is a lesbian. For all the right wingers out there who hate lesbians, I challenge any of them to be raised in a tough environment, overcome it, and succeed in life. Kelly and I went out for a couple of drinks last night and she mentioned that she stumbled across a "cool" new website. I asked her what it was and she replied "Democraticunderground.com I think it's called". I broke into a broad grin and told her that I post crap all the time in there (here). So Kelly, if you are reading this, I love you and how about some free ice cream? :-) I also reiterate, one of the toughest ladies I know. I admire her for it.
On edit- I apologize if anyone is offended or bored to tears with this tripe. But when she told me she reads DU, I just had to pay a (very amateur) tribute to her. Thank you for allowing me to do this.

[Taverner]

1. Hats off to your cousin!

:applause:

She sounds AWESOME!!!!

[unhappycamper]

2. Let's hope Kelly signs up! n/t

[ShortnFiery]

3. Very heartwarming story.

Thank-you and best wishes to you and your cousin Kelly. :hi:

[October]

4. Happy Birthday, Kelly! Welcome.

:party:

[tavalon]

5. I'm proud to have her as a fellow nurse

She sounds like gold.

[Triana]

6. Hats off to Kelly! YOU GO GIRL!

You've every damn right to be proud of your beautiful young cousin. :woohoo:

[Not Me]

7. What an inspiring story

THANK YOU for sharing.

[Booster]

8. Happy Birthday, Kelly. I just wish my niece was more like

you. She's had everything handed to her on a silver platter by two sets of parents and she's just bored as Hell with college and life. Good luck to you.

[seabeyond]

9. i always love the honoring of another human being from someone who loves them

nothing niftier in life.

thanks for sharing

and hey... kelly, you are loved.

[Brazenly Liberal]

10. Welcome Kelly! And Happy Birthday!

:party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party:

[YOY]

11. Hey Kelly if you start posting you're in good company!

And quite diverse company that all accept you for who you are and what's inside.

[Aristus]

12. Congratulations, Kelly!

You sound like a wonderful person! B-)

[satya]

13. Kelly, you are an inspiration to all of us! Happy belated birthday. nt

[progressoid]

14. She obviously has good taste!

Hi Kelly :hi:

[PopSixSquish]

15. Happy Birthday Kelly

Keep on keeping on!

:fistbump:

[laylah]

16. Way to go

Kelly! :hug: May you prosper and succeed!

[bertman]

17. Welcome, Kelly!! Sounds like you're a great cousin, Bluzmann57.

[Patiod]

18. And ignore the infighting you see here Kelly - it's rare

Really! We almost never beat up on each other over minor issues! Hardly ever!

[Uncle Joe]

19. Good for Kelly and thanks for sharing, Bluzmann.

:thumbsup:

Kicked and recommended.

[City Lights]

20. What a wonderful story!

Thanks for sharing. And Happy Birthday, Kelly, if you're reading this. :party: Hope you sign up and start posting soon. :hi:

[PVnRT]

21. I'm offended by use of "the"

I demand satisfaction.

[madokie]

22. Thats great

On so many levels. Give her a :hug: for me sometime

[noiretextatique]

23. kelly reminds me a lot of my nieces

both are studying to be nurses after their mom died of cancer 3 years ago. the youngest was a senior in high school and the oldest was a sophomore in college when their mother was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer. she died just two months after diagnosis, and my sister's incredibly brave daughters never missed a day of school. they said the best tribute they could give their mother was to continue their educations. Ashley graduates in may and Shannon will be going into her junior year.
i know exactly how proud you must be of Kelly.

:hi: welcome to DU, Kelly.

[yellerpup]

24. Nothing amateur about the way you love, cousin.

Congratulations, Kelly! :grouphug:

[fed_up_mother]

25. Awwwwww, that's sweet! Welcome, Kelly!

[lunatica]

26. Hiya Kelly!!

Drop in see us sometime!

:hi:

[Chemical Bill]

27. Good for you both. n/t

[earcandle]

28. How very cool!

[DUlover2909]

29. ok I get free ice cream too!

:fistbump: :kick:

[malaise]

30. Belated Happy Birthday Kelly

Lovely post! :grouphug:

[WillyT]

31. Happy Birthday Kelly !!! - K & R !!!

:bounce::party::bounce:

And welcome to DU !!!

:hi:

[H2O Man]

32. Happy birthday, Cousin Kelly!

Keep up the good work. Your family here at DU is mighty proud of you!

H2O Man

[cate94]

33. Happy Birthday!

[NikolaC]

34. No Need To Apologize

Your post was a wonderful and inspiring one to read first thing in the morning :). Kelly sounds like the kind of person many would be lucky to know, much less be related to :).

[EmilyAnne]

35. So sweet! She sounds great!

[GinaMaria]

36. Hope you're out there today Kelly

:hi:

[rosesaylavee]

37. A great American story that...

Hurray for Kelly!

[ejbr]

38. As a gay man,

I never knew that lesbians played softball. :evilgrin:

Kelly, if you are reading this, I just want to thank you for hanging in there. I know what it must have been like, and I had a much easier time of things. Brava!

[EvilAL]

39. Here's a little song for her.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hJjx7jTHA8

heheheh

[BeliQueen]

40. Welcome Kelly!

Happy birthday, and congratulations on all your wonderful accomplishments.

You are an example of why America will endure. You didn't give up on yourself or your country. For that I really thank you.

[RadiationTherapy]

41. She's a remarkable woman, not a remarkable girl. Very nice of you to post this!

[mdmc]

42. kick

r

[handmade34]

43. Happy Birthday Kelly!!!

thank you for all you do.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

44. Wow! - Happy Birthday Kelly - You sound like a wonderful young lady. nt

[tabbycat31]

45. Happy Birthday Kelly

[Rainbowreflect]

46. Thanks for sharing such a nice story. Happy Birthday Kelly!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

47. Hi Kelly

I'm so proud of what you have accomplished--and who you are.

[Brewman_Jax]

48. Merry Birthday!

and that's an inspiring story. Well done! :thumbsup:

[Ohio Joe]

49. Sweet

I hope Kelly will decide to join in here, more good people are always welcome :hi:

[Captain Hilts]

50. Here you go...

ER: Happy Birthday Kelly! You've got my vote of confidence!

[myrna minx]

51. Happy Birthday Kelly!

You really are an inspiration. :toast:

[SalviaBlue]

52. Happy Birthday Kelly!!

[MrMickeysMom]

53. This was the PERFECT place for this great story...

Welcome to DU, Kelly (you MUST SURELY read this), and

THANK YOU FOR BEING A NURSE! :fistbump:

(A Respiratory Therapist)

[Heidi]

54. Happy birthday, Kelly!

:kick:

:toast:

[veganlush]

55. thank you for the story...

:hi: :woohoo:

[Wapsie B]

56. Happy Birthday Kelly!!

:toast:

[renate]

57. way to go, Kelly!

Just a few minutes too late for an R, but at least I can give this a K.

Even if you're already proud of yourself for all you've achieved (and I hope you are!), you probably have no idea how exceptional you are. I really admire you. :hug: Your patients, and the other people in your life, are very lucky to know you.

Happy belated birthday! :party:

[swimmernsecretsea]

58. Can I wave at your cousin?

Hi Kelly! :hi: