Growing

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Married at 16 changed my life.  With a baby on the way, I had to change.  No longer could I hang with my friends, play high school football, or go to cruise the boulevard on Friday nights.  But that was the life that I chose.  I accepted that and soon came to love it.

We filled our home with used furniture and hand-me-down clothing.  Sears was the only business to take the risk of granting us a revolving credit program and to this day, I'm still very loyal to them. We bought at B&W portable TV and paid it off within 6 months, establishing a worthiness credit history. Outstanding credit became a major tool for success.

Seemed like I always had a job, and sometimes two.  Our firstborn came sooner that I ever thought.  Her water broke during the wee hours one morning, As she stood draining in the shower, I reviewed the pamphlet given by her doctor before realizing it was time to head to the hospital, a usual 20 minute drive that I made in 15. And 35 minutes after we arrived, I was a father. Whew!
Not being able to afford the usual 3-day stay, I obtained a release them the following morning.

My family was the pride of my life and were the only ones that I ever felt an alliance with.  We played alone and prayed alone, and we matured together, alone.  A high school equivalency degree (GED), opened some doors to better jobs.  And soon I became the youngest foreman at a local aircraft manufacturing company.  And with those medical benefits, and the purchase of a new house, our daughter's sister was born.
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And we were climbing.
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