10/05/2026
Today my heart is so full. ❤️
This Sunday, as we all gathered at my parents’ home for our family breakfast after church, my little sister Irma, who is a Nurse Practitioner at Mid-Valley Clinic, shared some incredible news with all of us. She has been accepted to Chamberlain University to continue her education and pursue her Doctorate in Nursing. 🎓🩺🙏
We are a family of 12 children, all children of immigrants. Our father came from Aquila, Michoacán, Mexico, and our mother came from Zacatecas, Mexico. They migrated to the United States in the early 1970s, searching for better opportunities and a better life for their family.
They came with faith, courage, a strong work ethic, and the hope that their children would have opportunities they never had. They taught all 12 of us the importance of family, sacrifice, responsibility, education, faith, and hard work.
Irma is one of the middle children in our family, and her journey is truly a story of sacrifice, determination, and perseverance.
Growing up, Irma worked long hours throughout the Yakima Valley, working in agriculture alongside our parents and several of our siblings to help with our family’s expenses. At a young age, she picked apples, pears, cherries, and asparagus.
During the summers, we would travel to Lynden, Washington, where she worked at Curt Maberry’s during the strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry seasons. After those early harvest days were finished, she would continue working long hours in the warehouse.
Those were not easy days. They were filled with early mornings, long hours of physical labor, tired hands, and sacrifice. But those years were about much more than work. They were about family, responsibility, helping one another, and doing whatever was necessary to move forward together.
Through it all, Irma kept going. She continued believing that education could open another door for her future. She went from working in the fields and warehouses, to college, to nursing, to becoming a Nurse Practitioner, and now to pursuing her Doctorate.
When Irma shared her news with us this Sunday, I looked at my mom and dad and saw the tears in their eyes. I cried too. In that moment, I thought about where our parents came from, the sacrifices they made, and the dreams they carried for their children when they came to this country more than 50 years ago.
From Aquila, Michoacán and Zacatecas, Mexico, to raising 12 children in the United States, and now watching one of their daughters pursue her Doctorate in Nursing.
For me, that moment represented the American Dream coming full circle. Not because the journey was easy, but because despite the struggles, the hard work, and the obstacles, she kept going.
Sister, you are also a testimony of faith and strength. You continue moving forward while living with one kidney, and you continue to serve others, care for your family, and lead with faith.
To think that the young woman who once worked those long days beside our parents and siblings in the fields and warehouses is now a Nurse Practitioner and beginning her journey toward becoming Dr. Irma at Chamberlain University brings me to tears. ❤️
Our parents came to this country dreaming of a better future for their children, and today one of their daughters is pursuing her Doctorate in Nursing.
Congratulations, little sister. I am beyond proud of you. Keep showing our children and the next generation what can happen when you combine faith, sacrifice, education, discipline, determination, and family.
From the fields of the Yakima Valley, to the berry fields of Lynden, Washington, to the warehouse, to nursing, to becoming a Nurse Practitioner, and now to a Doctorate. 🩺
Congratulations on your new journey, future Dr. Irma Mejia-Ramos. We are all so incredibly proud of you.
