When we met, my hubby was a very hard working and determined man. Today, nothing has changed, except that he's spent the past 5 years becoming a welder, getting his GED and completing an online BOMA course.
I finally completed my Accounting Certificate ('04) and Diploma ('09) via night school while I was on maternity leave. But his acheivement is so much more I think.
For a man that didn't go much beyond the middle of grade 8, he always knew he had to work harder and better than the others inorder to get ahead. When he chose to change careers from construction to welding in '05, we knew it was going to be a long road - but it was only supposed to take 3 years. Life got in the way sometimes and that 3 year plan turned into 5, but yesterday he finally completed his 3rd year exams yesterday. So very proud!! It was alot of studdying and memorizing so much information and regulations and heat temperatures and I could certainly go on and on. But he did it!! Now it's 6-8 weeks for the results and although it was extremly hard - both the class, the tests and the final exams and practicals, we're hopeful that he passed and can finally move on.
In addition to all of this welder stuff, he finally enrolled in the GED prep course in the fall of '09, muddled through it and wrote that exam in Feb '10. He passed!!! He'd never written an essay in his life before this course and for a man who's reserved and doesn't like to share much about himself with strangers, writing essays giving his opinion and life examples was very difficult at first. With encouragement, he opened up a bit after I and his first instructor reminded him that nobody else is reading them, the tester doesn't know who he is and in the end, make it up if you have to. It's just a test for english - not grading your actual opinion or memory - just how well did you communicate them.
Thirdly he's been doing an online course for his building operator level 3. For a guy who's intimidated by computers - this is huge!! It's still going on, but he's moving through it and hopefully it opens some new doors.
So in the end, I am so happy for him in his accomplishments, for seeing them through and setting a great example for Maggie to look back on. with hard work and determination, you can do things even when you're scared and the road is daunting. Life may seem like it's too busy and there's better things to do, but it's so worth it in the end.
Happy for you honey!! Love you.
