After years of bad decisions, lessons learned, and not really knowing what my purpose was, it’s finally happening. I’m earning a four-year college degree from a highly respected university.

I attempted to attend college right after high school. It was rough and I felt I wasn't ready to remain focused. I started working and discovered that earning money gave me a sense of power. I had power to use my own money how I wanted. I went out to clubs and started to have the fun I never experienced in high school, like the other kids my age. Now, as I prepare to graduate with my Bachelor's degree, at age 49, I can honestly say that I should have listened to my father.

Our parents never forced us to do our homework on a daily basis. They never checked our grades or got angry because we weren’t straight A students. We were; however, told that we had to join the band. They loved watching us during half time shows, seasonal music recitals, competitions, and marching through downtown streets in the city’s parades. We didn’t have to be straight A students to participate in these functions. As long as we made C’s we knew we could be part of the show. That was all that mattered. Because of that, I considered myself “average.”

While I was working in manufacturing, I attempted several times to complete my education. I changed my major a few times, but that’s also when I was making bad decisions. I had been in trouble with the law and woke up in all the wrong places. I cleaned myself up, or "“straightened my crown,” as they say. It was not until I moved into the financial services industry that I discovered my strength in writing and training. I facilitated events bringing in hundreds to thousands of dollars for local charities. I expanded memberships to volunteer organizations from a couple dozen to hundreds, and assisted executives with company-wide initiatives. I learned that an English degree will support many aspects of the financial services industry and my experience in manufacturing as the stepping stone to get me there and take me far. I owe it all to my dad.

Each time I had an idea or was looking for a new role, he’d say, “Go for the goal!” When I enrolled back into college in 2014, and classes began on my 40th birthday, he said, “Go for the goal.” When he came to hear me read my published stories in 2016 from the school’s journal he said, “Go for the goal!” When I was laid off in 2017 and signed the Academic Fresh Start form, I heard “Go for the goal” as he lie buried for at least five months. This is for him, and all the essential workers that wish their children get a great education, a great job, and great benefits. #GoForTheGoal #RaisedByAnEssentialWorker