This was a really good reading this week, I enjoyed reading
it. It had me thinking a lot and so did everyone else’s posts. Of course,
everyone is entitled to their opinion from what they have heard, seen and
experienced. I don't know if I agree completely with this reading only because
of my own experiences. Both of my parents grew up in houses with two parents
that struggled with money. My dad started working at the age of nine and always
saved his money for his future. His parents had just came from Portugal and got
factory jobs. My father became a police officer at the age of twenty one and
went to college at Roger Williams later to receive his bachelor’s degree. He
worked overtime holidays, and even risked his life many times doing undercover
detective work while me and my sister were little just to know that we would be
able to go to college one day. I have pictures with him with ear piercings and
a full beard while he was undercover and my sister and I were three and four.
When he was financial stable enough he bought apartment houses and rented them
out as another way of getting money for his family. As a respectable landlord
he cuts all of the tenants grass and fixes any problems they have. His life definitely
wasn't easy and he made a lot of sacrifices. He was always smart with money
even though he came from a family that had very little. As he got older and
became respected by so many people he got promoted to sergeant, lieutenant,
deputy chief and now Police Chief of the Bristol Police department. It’s kind
of like “if there’s a will there’s a way”. Everyone can make something of themselves without
coming from a wealthy family. It is understandable now that college tuition is ridiculous
but there are so many ways from student loans, financial aid and the endless
list of scholarships to apply for. Your attitude on life will get you where you
want to be.
Has anyone else heard of stories like this where people rise
above unfortunate money situations?
Great post Janelle! Your father's story is very inspiring and a real life's lesson. It furthers the points of the article by Finn. Too often people make extreme sacrifices because of how things are, and it is mostly the struggling. Everyone should have the same opportunities, earn what they have based on merit, and not by favorism.
ReplyDeletei like your post janelle. My dad came from a similar situation. his parents divorced when he was 15 and him and his brother pretty much had to figure everything out on their own. my dad juggled 3 jobs at 18 while attending Rhode Island College and he became an X-ray tech. He payed back all his own loans. Then, when he was 26, went back to school to be an ultrasound tech and now he is back here at RIC getting his degree in business. You have to work for what you want, there are so many people who have done it to say that it is impossible.
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