George Dawson.

Before I start this message, I'd like to say that I have never even laid eyes on the Oprah show until this year. I only started watching because it is her very last season. I figured there has to be a reason why she is SO popular! 

Now, I'm no Oprah fanatic, but I do tune in regularly and I must say I enjoy it...

So, speaking of Oprah, I tuned in a couple of days ago and watched her show titled, "Oprah's Most Memorable Guests." One of the most memorable guests she talked about was a man named George Dawson. Here is a little background on him courtesy of the Oprah Show:

At the age of 98, George Dawson had never been to school and had never learned how to read or write. He told Carl, a local education recruiter, that he was determined to change and began taking classes from him.

The grandson of a former slave, George started working full time when he was just 8 years old and never even learned the alphabet. By the time his classmates threw him a surprise 100th birthday party, George was able to read his own cards for the first time. 

"Watching Mr. Dawson learn to read has been one of the greatest experiences of my life," Carl said in 1998. "Mr. Dawson was determined he was going to learn how to read, and that determination filled one of the most outstanding quests for knowledge that I've ever seen. It has been a fantastic miracle." 

In 2000, George became a best-selling author when he co-wrote his inspiring life story Life Is So Good. He passed away in 2001 at the age of 103. 

See how his legacy lives on today! 

Isn't that amazing? When I saw his segment on the Oprah show I instantly started crying. What a powerful message one man can convey! His life proves that it is NEVER too late to do something. So many of us say phrases like, "Well I don't see the point in doing that now" or "It's to late for that now"! George Dawson proves all of us wrong. I will be the first one to admit that I say phrases like that all the time when it comes to school and pretty much life in general! I read more about him on the internet and I found out that he earned not one, but TWO doctorate degrees before he died. I just cannot get over how amazing that is. Every time I am struggling with something, I hope I will remember Mr. Dawson and his message.

George Dawson's story got so much attention, that people even named a school after him! Incredible...

I also want to say that the man Carl who taught George how to read is a remarkable man himself. A lot of people would not see the point in teaching a 98 year-old how to read, but Carl thought otherwise. Imagine George's life if he had not met Carl!!

My goal for myself is to be more like George and Carl. I want to take advantage of EVERY opportunity I receive  It's like the saying "Carpe Diem", which means, "Seize the day."

Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

 Thank you George Dawson.