He purposefully chose that date and liked to say that only a "Fool"l would leave a perfectly good "job" - but,he had much larger dreams than that paycheck would ever afford (and more mouths to feed and educate). And, he was no "fool" and he knew it!
That self deprecating humor was a translucent mask for his determination, willpower, and ambition (not for his own sake, for he couldn't care less what "other people thought of him" -but for his family and future generations)
As a developer, his days were spent studying trends, analyzing future expansion, investing in land ,designing and installing roads, water, sewer...all the infrastructure needs for future development of new homes. He knew that the work he did would one day pay off.
Depending on the economy when his work was completed, the payoff could be sooner...or later. There were years - remember 18 % interest and gas wars of the 80s? - when not one penny of income came into our home. And, at that time, 3 were still in college and I caused huge medical bills with cancer treatment.
I cannot imagine the stress and anxiety that my parents must have felt at times. I do know that my Father had an unstoppable determination to BE three things:
The man that his devout Christian faith called him to be
My mother's best friend, confidant, and her protector for life
A Father who, as a role model by action not words, modeled bravery, confidence, and integrity to give his children the security to follow their dreams.
My Father was overwhelmingly successful in his goal for his life. My goal is to be just as "Fool" ish as he!