She called me

"Dr."

My mentor, who I've loved up close and from afar, called me Dr. today.

Then she stepped back from the mic and clapped.

For me!

Then she asked "And what are you going to do next?"

I said "I'm going to medical school."

And she said to the crowd "Y'all don't have to do that but that's what she's doing. Medical School. AFTER a PhD. That's for the special few."

They clapped again.

But all I really remember was the way she stepped back and clapped for me.