Joy Emeh
Updated on: October 14, 2024 2:33 am GMT
A Pennsylvania mom recently found herself engulfed in joy and celebration after receiving the wonderful news that her son had passed the nursing licensure exam. For Asmeret Mengistu, this moment was not just a personal victory for her child but a heartfelt milestone that echoed her own journey decades earlier, when she first took the exam over 20 years ago.
Abel Mezemer, 36, who graduated from an accelerated nursing program in August 2023, shared his excitement on social media. On September 9, he posted an Instagram reel showing the moment they received his exam results. The video captured the joyous reaction of his mother and niece as they realized that Abel had achieved a passing score on the NCLEX-RN exam, which is essential for becoming a registered nurse in the United States.
As Mengistu processed the news, her excitement poured out in laughter and dance. She could be seen beating her hands on the table, raising them in joy, and ultimately embracing her son in a tight hug. “I strategically made it so that I would take the exam, and then two days later, I’d find out with my mom because my mom was a nurse for 25 years,” Abel said. “So this means just as much to me as it does to her, if not even more.”
A Journey of Determination
Mezemer’s path to becoming a nurse was no easy stroll. He described it as “the hardest and loneliest thing” he has faced, a process that took an arduous 27 months to complete. “Seeing that pass just validated all of the work that I put into it, all of the long nights, the sleepless nights,” he expressed.
Reflecting on her own experience, Mengistu, a pediatric and emergency department nurse, recounted her struggles with the NCLEX exam. She admitted, “I remember 25 years ago when I took my NCLEX exam; I failed the first time. I got it the second time when I took it, so I know how stressful it is.” This shared experience has only deepened their bond, with Mengistu feeling a mix of pride and anxiety as she thought of her son’s journey.
A Legacy of Nursing
Mengistu came to the U.S. from Ethiopia and has spent two decades nurturing her nursing career. Now, she finds immeasurable pride in her son following in her footsteps. “I’m so happy for him to the point, like, I couldn’t hold my emotion,” she said. “My son is not only an RN, but he’s following [in] my footsteps.”
In a new chapter of his career, Mezemer has accepted a position as a pediatric emergency department nurse at a hospital in New York City. Mengistu expressed her confidence in his capabilities, stating, “He’s going to be amazing. He’s going to be an excellent, excellent nurse.”
Compassionate Parenting: A Mother’s Support
This heartwarming story of familial support mirrors another touching moment that has surfaced on social media, where a mother shared her wholesome reaction to her son’s coming out letter. Cherie Garcia posted on Twitter about her teenager Crow’s creative announcement that he was transgender.
Crow devised a colorful cut-out letter resembling a ransom note, proclaiming: “Congratulations! You are now the proud owner of your very own son.” While Garcia reacted supportively, she couldn’t help but point out the minor spelling error—an absent “r” in “congratulations.”
“I called to let him know that the *only* thing that’s wrong with this is the ‘r’ he accidentally left out of congratulations,” Garcia tweeted, concluding with supportive emojis.
A Mother’s Unconditional Love
Garcia’s reaction went viral, striking a chord with many other parents who shared their own experiences with their children’s announcements. “I love the drama of it,” commented one parent, while others recounted humorous moments with their own kids’ coming out stories.
The support Garcia offers her son is clear and unwavering. She later tweeted, “There is nothing my kids could do to lose my support and unconditional love. My prayer for each of them is that they live life as their authentic selves, without compromise.”
This illustrates a crucial aspect of parenting: the ability to show compassion and understanding, especially through challenging transitions. While spelling may be important in Crow’s creative announcement, the real significance lies in the unconditional love and acceptance that comes from a mother.
Stronger Together
Both of these stories highlight the emotional support that parents can provide to their children during major life changes. Whether it’s embarking on a challenging career path or navigating gender identity, having a parent who supports you can make all the difference.
In moments of triumph or struggle, heartfelt bonds between parents and their children reinforce the importance of love and encouragement in shaping who we become. As Mengistu celebrates her son’s accomplishments and Garcia passionately supports her child’s identity, they both serve as reminders of the powerful role of family in fostering resilience and authenticity.
These stories show how our experiences, like being a nurse or accepting who we really are, connect us as people. They remind us of the strong ties that family creates with every special moment we share.
