My father rejected the model of the corporate employee. He had a strong desire to not work for “the man.” He paid his dues. He had a family to support. He was not a starry-eyed idealist who lived off his wife or parents. He did what he had to do.
But he had a dream. Wanted to be his own man. He wanted to be self employed. He started his own construction business and eventually qualified for a general contractor’s license. He made less but lived life on his terms.
He paid the price for that dream. There are things you give up when you start a small business and everything hangs on your shoulders. You take few vacations. No one pays the self employed when they take off. There was no fancy retirement plan. We never had health insurance.
We did not suffer for it. We never went hungry. I had holes in the knees of my jeans before it was a fashion statement, but we had iron on patches. There were rewards that came from his determination that are often overlooked in our paycheck oriented society.
We were blessed by his example. I have three brothers. Among us we have no police records, no divorce and no children out of wedlock.
He died with no money in the bank but also with no big debts. A few days before he died unexpectedly he was surrounded by children and grandchildren. All of them enjoyed being with him.
Choices have consequences. He was rewarded. I pray that I will come close and that you will also see the joys that are possible.
homo unius libri
I used to be self-employed, but had to give it up due to a wife lacking proper self-control and understanding, two things much needed by the spouse of a self-employed person.
ReplyDeleteThere are certain people who should not be self-employed. I am one, I don't have the drive. My son is another.
ReplyDeleteMy wife is a mixed verdict. She has the instincts but she depends on my steady income to keep her above water.
My dad could not have made it today. He never did understand the way in which buying on credit can eat you up. When he was in business and developing his credit the material yards did not start heaping 18% interest on every penny past due. By the end of his work career they were. He would have gone belly up now.
Grace and peace.