It's All in Divine Order

Good morning! Go Blue!
Over the weekend I watched Michigan play and win in the NCAA Final Four with my mom and sister.  I was calm in the beginning probably because I was comfortable with the lead Michigan had for most of the game.  But something started changing...the gap in the lead they had was getting smaller and smaller as the time on the clock ran out.  I turned into the girl I was exactly 20 years ago watching the game upstairs in my room on my 19" box TV.  Jumping and shouting, screaming at my favorite college team to not give up and hold out until victory.  My sister was laughing hard at me I guess because she had never seen me in such excitement over any sports-related game.

You should have seen me, I was pacing the floor and almost pulling out my hair from fear that Michigan would come so close to winning and not win.  But it happened, they won and I was happy...I could breathe and was excited to return to campus on Monday because I knew everyone would be excited about Monday night's championship game.

This morning, I watched Jalen Rose's plea to Chris Webber to attend the championship game tonight and I started reminiscing over how badly I wanted to be a wolverine during my senior year.  No one could tell me that I would not get into Michigan that was my biggest dream at the time.  I had all these big plans and boldly shared those plans with all who inquired about my post-graduation plans. For those who know me, I eventually graduated from Michigan with a B.A. concentrating in Afro-American and African Studies instead of the coveted Business Administration degree I boasted about wanting.  The truth is that it wasn't an easy road for me.  The time between then and now has taken me down paths I never thought I would have to travel or wanted to travel.  I have had some proud moments and I've had some moments I would much rather forget.  I would like to erase the mistakes I made and disassociate myself with the people who were a witness to my weaker moments in life...but that would make me a miracle worker and that I am not.

I'm smiling now because the real truth is that I would never erase my history because it has produced the woman that I am today.  I am still flawed but I am stronger, happier and wiser for the road I traveled.  But really God knew where I would be in 20 years and what I needed to experience along the way.  That is what is amazing to me and leaves me in awe of Him.  He knew that the relationship between Chris Webber and the University of Michigan would be strained because of past events and this is where we would all be...needing to heal past hurts and mending past relationships.  I am working day-by-day to use what I've gone through to be a better woman, daughter, sister, friend, girl-friend, colleague, mentor, employee and Christian.  With that being said, I hope that Chris will join Jalen, Juan, Ray and Jimmy at the game tonight to support the young players who've always looked up to them!

Peace, Detroit Luv & Soooooul!
Daniella