Education and Preparing for College Early - Parents Can Help Their Children Deal with the Unexpected- Finishing College in High School, a New Resource Guide
This is the story of how a parent’s unexpected death changed his children’s lives. From this experience they learned important information about dealing with the unexpected and the importance of education, college and preparing for one’s future. http://gradaenterprises.com/finishcollegeinhighschool/ By Rachel Hayon, MPH
(PRWEB) April 5, 2005 -- This is the story of how a parent’s unexpected death
changed his children’s lives. From this experience they learned important
information about dealing with the unexpected and the importance of education,
college and preparing for one’s future.
http://gradaenterprises.com/finishcollegeinhighschool/
By
Rachel Hayon, MPH
“He’s not looking too well.”
“How bad is
it??”
“Jules…Dad, he’s, he’s gonna die. I just know it. He’s not opening his
eyes anymore, or moving…Mom’s a mess please come home.”
“I’ll be home soon
Shorty, as soon as I can get a plane ticket….”
Such was the news I
received on my-present-to-myself graduation trip. I was overseas, away from my
family about one month when my father fell ill. He had a stroke and in the end,
he went into cardiac arrest. Just like that he was gone. I hadn’t planned on
that happening, I mean, I suppose no one ever PLANS these things, but you know
what I mean, it’s always a shock. He was overweight, out of shape and his
overall physical state was not good, but I suppose its human nature to hope
against hope that your loved ones will overcome all odds and be with you
forever. Unfortunately, reality often steps in and you realize that things don’t
always work out the way you’ve planned them. Too bad, but as my father might
have said in his native tongue “C’est la vie”
I came home to a totally
changed reality. Just goes to show the old proverb “Man plans, G-d laughs” has
more truth to it than we ever want to admit. For instance, I had planned to
start a PhD program. I was going to be a psychologist, open up my own practice
and live happily ever after. This new predicament nipped that course of action
in the bud. Why? One main reason- money.
You see, my father was a smart
man. He spoke six languages and traveled the majority of the world in his life
time. He was an immigrant, as is my mother and they were here to capture the
American dream. Despite all of his good intentions and his vast intellect, he
died, with no money to his name. Not that life is all about money, of course it
isn’t, I would never suggest such a thing. But, as those of you out there who
have ever been in a financial bind know, having money sure does lower your over
all stress level.
I figured out at an early age how high stress levels
correlate with a low money reserve as I saw my parents struggle, time and time
again. In fact, I think my father’s health deteriorated so quickly because of
his high stress levels. They struggled both because of a lack of formal
education and poor business decisions and of course that unavoidable con-artist
who WILL approach those individuals who most want to get ahead in life. That’s
what happened to my father. Time and time again he tried to get ahead, looked
into new businesses, worked his fingers to the bone, and trusted the wrong
people. The end result: breaking even if you’re lucky.
Speaking of being
lucky, I decided that is exactly what I would be. I was going to stop the cycle
my parent’s had started, get a formal education, go to graduate school and be
livin’ large. Well, at least larger than they had. See, I never wanted wealth;
all I wanted was to be comfortable, have a gratifying career in which I could
help other people and be able to pay the bills. Being that neither of my parents
are college educated, I had to figure out the university system on my own. Let
me tell ya, there are lots of twists and turns, not to mention hidden entry
ways, no one tells you about on that path. Regardless, after doing lots of
things I shouldn’t have done and not doing things I Should have done, I was able
to get myself into a reputable college, got a scholarship, and even got myself
into graduate school. Sounds good right? Well, it was, until the unexpected
happened.
I’m not trying to imply that my situation is helpless, I do
after all possess a college degree and I will plow my way ahead. However, I now
have to think of my mother and brother’s well being and cannot concentrate
solely on the career I had planned on. Some good has come from my father’s death
and my college experience. For instance, seeing the mistakes he made is helping
me to reevaluate my choices and my life. I am also happy to report that my
experiences having given me the knowledge to guide my little brother past the
potholes I fell into. I’m happy to say, he is now a junior in college and doing
great.
So what’s the moral of the story?? First, know that in an instant
your life can change and be prepared. Second, take Every opportunity to can get.
See, my Dad was right, we do live in the United States and this is a land with
much opportunity. The only problem is, though the information is out there, most
parents (especially from other countries) don’t know how to guide their children
to the better future they so want them to possess. For instance, did you know
that high school level children can start earning college credit while
simultaneously earning their high school diploma?? No, you didn’t know that?
Well, neither did I. That’s why I’m passing on the information. Because I want
to make sure other people’s children don’t miss what I did. A word to the wise-
the earlier you start building your future, the better.
Based on a true
story.
# # #
Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/4/prweb224917.htm