To support our family of 5 my step father would wake every day at 5am to go to work as a janitor at the local post office, he would finish his janitorial duties at 3pm and depart to his second job as a grounds person at Quaker Oats where he would cut grass and trim bushes until dusk, from there he would drive to his 3^rd job as a night cleaner for a small office building where he would take out the trash, vacuum, and dust. By 10:30pm he would arrive at home, take a meal, wash and go to bed. I watched him perform this work routine day after day, month after month, year after year.  I was often called upon by him to help out with the duties of supporting the family and this work time would account for the bulk of time we spent together. Because of these experiences he was able to instill upon me a very strong work ethic and the ability to take pride in a job well done regardless of how menial it may appear.  With that being said he also instilled within me the ability to understand the great value education provides us and would often tell me that “It’s easier to work with your brain than your back.”

            He was always inquiring as to what I was studying in school and took great interest in my academic performance, which he viewed as a privilege, not to be taken lightly and to be treated with the utmost respect.  I imagine that he was also very envious of my opportunity to be a student because he never had the chance to advance his education beyond a grade 8 level due to family obligations on the farm.

            Although he passed away years ago I know he would be very proud to know that I am the first of his children to be pursuing a post secondary degree. I think it would have brought a smile to his face to know I was studying Culinary Arts Management because he was a great lover of food and use to always tell stories about his time in the army as a cook, and how much he enjoyed it. When I think of this I think of how special this opportunity is and it makes me very aware of the tremendous achievement I am in the process of making for both myself, my stepfather and my family.

            My journey into post secondary education has also been a challenging one. As a mature student in the midst of a career change while still shouldering the responsibilities of being a father of 4, there have often been times when I wonder if I will ever make it to graduation in May 2011. Making ends meet every month often feels like a circus act and I am the star juggler making my monthly appearance, never knowing what surprises life has in store for me, Such as the ever increasing cost of transportation due to the rising price of gas, or the daily race to make pick up time at my 2 year olds daycare so I don’t incur additional child care charges and exhaust financial resources I don’t have. Yet I know in my heart that this path is the right one for me and despite life’s hardships (like the 3 hours a day I spend commuting) I will find a way to persevere and complete this task set out before me, not only for my stepfather and for myself but to set an example for my children.