24/03/2023
Tonight is the night. A moment that I have been dreaming of, a moment that fills my heart with emotions that words can hardly express. This morning, as I took a minute to reflect on my journey, tears of gratitude flowed from my eyes.
In that moment, I was taken back to my childhood. I saw my mother's loving face, my siblings and I playing and laughing together, and my aunts looking at me with pride and joy. I remembered the community that I grew up in, where everyone looked out for each other and shared in both good times and bad.
I thought about the day I left Brazil, not speaking a single word of English, and the challenges that came with moving to a new country. I remembered the fear of the unknown, the loneliness of missing my family and friends, and the struggles of finding my footing in a foreign land.
But I also remembered the strength and courage that I found within myself to rise above those challenges. The moments when I felt lost and broken, and the times when I had to pick myself up and keep moving forward.
I thought about the ups and downs of SDS BRAND, the passing of my beloved mother, and the struggles that my marriage faced. But even in those moments of darkness, I found the courage to keep going. I realized that courage is the new confidence.
And so tonight, I will stand at Cheltenham Ladies College, I am filled with gratitude for everything that has led me to this moment. Every joy, every struggle, every triumph, and every failure has shaped me into the person I am today.
I am grateful for the courage that has saved me time and time again. And I hope that my story can inspire others to find their own courage, to keep pushing forward no matter what life throws their way.