Now is that wise?

Sophia. The name comes from the Greeks meaning "wisdom." It's a beautiful name. If I had a daughter that would probably be her name. Sophia, of course, isn't the real name of this new character in my little melodrama. I chose it for her though because I think Sophia is a remarkable woman.

She's smart, beautiful and hard working. Three things I admire in a woman. She's tough on her two sons. Made them finish high school and made them choose a skill to work since neither was intending on going to college. Her oldest just graduated from the fire academy. Her youngest is going to school for EMT and then is thinking about going to the fire academy too.

It's the second son she's had trouble with and I thought she handled it with strength and skill. She didn't freak out and go Mommy Dearest on him. Nope, with a cool calm hand she laid down the law and set up rules for him to live by. He even had to submit to drug tests randomly that Sophia buys at Walgreens. He asks why she keeps him under her thumb and she says what he did made her lose trust in him and that by living and obeying her rules is the only way he can earn it back.

She had a real scare on time recently with the younger son. He came home late one night and he looked like he was high. He couldn't walk straight or keep his eyes open. Sophia asked him what he was on. Nothing, he said, just really tired. She didn't believe him and ran off to Walmart to buy a home drug test kit. He was stunned and asked why. She just told him that he knew why. He went and took the piss test and it came back clean.

When the older son was going to take his drug test to enter the fire academy Sophia told the younger son,"Let's go take your brother." They did and once there Sophia asked the nurse how much is it to take a drug test. $400. Sophia looked at the younger boy and said,"You're getting tested too." He said,"Why, Mom, you test me all the time at home." She said,"Yes, but this test is much more accurate." He agreed and she was so relieved it came back clean. She told me she didn't know what she was going to do if he failed it.

She works full time running her own clothes business and also sell cosmetics that she gets from another person. Her goal though is to finish school as a medical assistant. She's doing really well with that. She's enjoying it entirely. She says she's loves learning so much. She finished in March 2008.

If anything, she has my upmost admiration and respect. When I first met her I admit I sold her short. The more I got to know her, the more respect I had for her.

FAQs about Sophia
Is she relationship material? That's definitely a yes.

Is a relationship possible? I think it's highly unlikely right now. At least while she's in school.

When could conditions make a relationship possible? Once she's out of school and working her chosen field. Right now she's at school all day, works trying to sell her clothes and cosmetics and then studies until late at night. Basically she has no time for a relationship.

So, please join the Pope in welcoming Sophia to this little character play of mine.

Paavi Hannu Paavali III (Finnish)