This is a true story. One you will never see in the newspaper, or hear on the radio, or see on TV. There are many success stories like this one out there, un-sung "hero's" so to speak. I just thought it would be nice to share this one with you. Rebecca - please don't disown me as your Mom!
I guess I am proud. Or extremely lucky. Or both.
Rebecca and Neal have been married a little over 25 years. They have four children. Nothing exceptional about that. Lots of folks have lots more.
Now to get to the core of the story.
Their four children were born in a six year span. There were years when she had two, once three, in diapers at the same time. By the time the oldest started school, they had all learned to help Mom. Mom needed lots of help. Dad was an over-the-road truck driver, away more than he was home, so it was Mom, Mom, and more Mom.
They developed a system. Made up a chart of chores for the kids to be responsible for, and in return they received payment, based on how many of their chores they accomplished.
They also each had alarm clocks. Four kids. One bathroom. Getting up in the morning had to be staggered, they were responsible for determining the pecking order, and adhering to it. They were never late for school.
As they all like something different for breakfast, they were, again, responsible. As they grew older Rebecca held part-time jobs to help make ends meet.
Now we are fast forwarding. The two oldest (both boys) have graduated from high school, and are both working part-time and attending college.
The two younger ones (boy Coleman, girl Shelby) are still in high school. Coleman will graduate in the spring of 2012. Shelby in the spring of 2013.
This week Coleman received a check from the school for perfect attendance. For which he was solely responsible for.
This week Shelby received a job offer, from one of her teachers, to tutor students struggling. Shelby has been on the high-honors honor roll from the get-go. She is being paid to tutor. The other three were also on the honor rolls, sometimes not consistently, but they were there.
Four children. Six years. Two in college, two planning on attending college. Yes, I am proud. They never asked for help unless it was an emergency. Now Neal is still a truck driver, but no longer over the road, so he is home more. The kids are self sufficient.
Neither boy, ( Garrett and Austin) when applying for college, opted to live in a dormitory. They both wanted to stay home, and drive back and forth to school, and to their jobs. In this day and age when all kids want to do is get away from their parents, Becky's nest remains full. Through choice, not necessity.
Her four are very well behaved and polite, always have been. I know of the times, when for a special treat Becky and Neal would take all four kids out to eat. She would tell about the expressions on the faces of the other patrons when they saw this couple with four young kids entering. Oh horror. There goes our nice evening out.
Were they ever surprised. There were many instances when these patrons, upon leaving, would stop by their table and congratulate the parents on how well-behaved their children were. What a breath of fresh air that was. But that is how it is and always has been.
And now Rebecca owns her own publishing house, of which Neal is a part, and they both will be leaving for Florida next week for the annual Florida Writers Guild conference.
It has been a struggle. They worked hard, both the parents and the kids. They have succeeded. This is definitely a Washington County Success Story. I am not embellishing. I am just tell it the way it was. None of us know the end of the story, but the beginning has been fantastic.
Thanksgiving 4 years ago in my living room. Rebecca, son #2 Austin, son #3 Coleman with dog, daughter #4 Shelby, Garrett, Son #1 and last but not least husband Neal.
So you will never see this story in the newspaper, nor on TV nor hear it on the radio. You only hear and see the bad in those mediums.
I count my blessings every day. Tom and I raised 5 children. They all have their own success stories. None have ever been arrested. None have ever done drugs. Only one smokes. They all have raised their families, and also have success stories. None have ever been un-employed. They always worked, even if it was washing dishes in a restaurant. Every one of our five children own their own homes, raised children who have their own homes, are raising their families.
I hope you haven't been bored today. But I thought this was important. And so when I leave for Church today, it will be with a happy heart, knowing all is right with my world. God Bless.
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