Well I'm not...but the people I'm talking about today are. Not that I've never been compared to a rock...rocks in my head, dumb as a rock, between a rock and a hard place, and hard as....oh never mind. In my younger days I was an island. Kept to myself, not a lot of friends, and there was nothing I couldn't do. I didn't rely on anyone for anything because I could do it better, faster, and I wouldn't owe anyone. All of that was before the world decided to use my face for a speed bag. Now that I'm getting old and gray I've learned that not only can I not do everything myself...there's not much of anything I do without help.
With all of this change in my life now it's easy for me to see who and where all of this help is coming from. While my family has mostly been supportive, they really aren't in any position to help with much. It's nobodies fault, and I didn't want to write this and make it look like I was ignoring them.
Of course, there's all of the little things available that I never bothered to use the first time around. Academic advisers, councilors, teachers, and other students. The first time through school I didn't bother with any of these, I just lowered my shoulder and plowed through. This time I'm taking advantage of all of these resources and it's showing in my grades. Several friends have also proven very helpful already, and a couple are even keeping me posted on job openings where they work even though we've rarely seen each other since high school. I've also had every professor happily agree to be used as a reference for my job search. As useful as all of these things are though, there has been 3 that have stood above all others.
First and foremost, Denise. Bet you didn't see this coming... Really there is no end to how vital she has been in this change. During the time we spent deciding she would talk over the pros and cons with me, listen to me babble as my mind went back and forth, and spent a lot of time going to schools with me to select the right one. Until I find a job she is solely supporting us, and getting her masters to boot. She can help with my homework, lend her experience to my decisions and paths I choose, and who knows, in the end it may be her contacts that land me a job. Her patience and understanding while I'm looking for a job have been nothing short of divine. I'm ready to get back to work anywhere, just to get a little cash flowing, but she is the one making sure I find the right job, not just a job. I know many people that go back to school have spouses that are unsupportive or indifferent, and I can only imagine how hard something like this could be in that environment. Without her I know this wouldn't be possible. I love you Denise!
Denise's parents have also done more than their fair share to make this happen. Before I even started school they helped us out with some money, we had gotten about half paid back when I got the opportunity to start school 6 months before we had planned. To do it though I had to quit working and commit to spending a lot of money on school. Before we did anything we went and talked to them, and they said to go for it. Besides the money they've been hugely supportive and constantly remind me why I'm doing this.
The last one is Denise's best friend Jen...come to think of it without Denise I'm pretty much screwed in every way. I say that Jen is Denise's best friend, but the truth is over the last couple years she's become one of my best friends too. Sure most people just kind of tolerate their wife's friends, but she's always there for me like we've known each other for life. While a lot of my friends and family joke about me becoming a nurse, or don't believe I'm really doing it, Jen is right there to counter anything they ever say. At every chance she's not only telling me that I'll be great at it, but why I'll be great at it. A lot of times it's the same stuff Denise says, but Denise is supposed to say it. Having another nurse tell you exactly what about you makes you qualified for the job while most people are telling you why they think you're not has been wonderful. Love you too Jennypoo!
If I ever manage to get back on track and regain the swagger I had in my youth, and it's propped up with this support I have now, I'm gonna get a little payback on the world. HEAR THAT WORLD?! You might have knocked me down and stole my ball, but I'm coming back, and I'm bringing friends.
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