It’s Never to Late to Change the Past
Posted: Saturday, August 23, 2008
by Angie Downing
My Mom and Dad were wonderful parents, and I wouldn't have traded them for anything, because even though they had their faults, as we all do, I knew they loved me very much. They did their best, but there was one area that seemed a little difficult for them to do. I didn't have much encouragement to get an education. Both of my parents had high school diploma's, but neither seemed to have considered going farther. The jobs they held didn't require the diplomas they had earned. I believe that because they were never encouraged to go to college, it never crossed their minds to push us in that direction. There's no blame, and it's nobody's fault, it's just the way things were when they grew up, and when I grew up.
I had not applied myself, and even though I had spent some time in higher grades, I basically had a 9 th grade education when I dropped out of school. One afternoon, I was driving by our local junior college, and decided that I wanted to take a sewing class. I took the entrance exam required of all students with my lack of an education shining forth in every test that I took. The sewing class I wanted to take was due to a lack of enrollment, so I took some other courses figuring I would take the sewing class next semester.
Over time, I took all of the classes that I needed to get the skills normally attained in high school, and eventually signed up for an accounting class, and a couple of "general ed" courses. I struggled with these studies, but I gave it my all. I had a wonderful husband at home who dedicated his time, and energy to taking care of the house, children, and helping me with homework when necessary. I spent my days, and nights studying, writing, and re-writing papers, often into the wee hours of the morning only to get up a few hours later to start all over again. It took me awhile, but one day I realized that with a few more accounting classes I could end up with an A.A. degree, and with a few more I could transfer to our local State University.
I was very surprised to find that I not only loved college, I was actually very good at it. I achieved almost a perfect straight "A" average earning my A.A. degree. I was so excited about my achievement that, along with my husbands encouragement, I decided to go for my bachelor's degree. The decision that day has changed the course of my life forever.
I remember thinking, on my first day at the University that I was fulfilling something that I had not even dared to dream of most of my life. In less than two years I found myself looking out over the crowd for the familiar faces of my family, and friends who had come to watch my graduation from the California State University. I can barely hear the speakers talk during the ceremony, thinking, I just can't believe I've done it; I'm about to receive my Bachelor's degree. It was hard, a lot harder then Jr. College, I didn't make the honor roll every time but, I did carry a 3.25 grade point average, and that was just fine with me. I also realized, that I am the first one in my family to receive a college education.
I never took that sewing class, but that was my initial goal upon returning to college, to learn how to make some clothes for my family. It's never to late to change the past, I went from a 9 th grade education to a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting. My husband and my girls were very supportive. I have also discovered that the chances of our children continuing on to college increase if they know that we ourselves have done it. I believe it's very hard to tell your children to get a college education when they know that you have not done it yourself. My oldest daughter is a Senior at the University, and my middle daughter is now attending the same Jr. College that I went to. Isn't it amazing that one change in our lives to correct the past, can reshape the future forever, and not just ours, but our children's, and even perhaps into generations beyond. As I write this article, I am considering returning to school for a Masters degree, and I have decided to start the necessary studies to pass the exam required to become a Certified Public Accountant.
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)I am very happy that I read your story. You sound lik a very amazing person.HI Sara,Thank you for your kind words. I pray this article gives hope to others that read it and they realize that it's never to late to get an education.
Loved your article, love your last name, love you.Thank you my love. I love my last name too... :)
Good article Angie. This should be an encouragement to many people to pursue their education. It is never too late.Hi Mark,Thanks for reading my articleI hope everyone realizes that they can do it. It took me a while but, with the encouragement of my husband and children, I was able to realize my dream.
You go Angie! Nice article I agree. Congrats on pick of the day!Hi Michelle,Thank you. It was hard, but so worth the rewards of returning to school and finishing what I should of done before having children and getting married. But, I'm not so sure I would have done so well with out my husband who helped me so much to achieve my goals.
Angie, this is incredibly inspirational!! Thank you so much for sharing it! It's no wonder your article was the pick of the day! I had tears of joy. Way to go!! God blessed you with a wonderful family who supported you all the way! I am blessed and encouraged to continue forward with the things the Lord has laid out before me. Thanks again!Hi Teresa,It still amazes me that I was able to go back to school and get an education. I feel like God was on my side all the way, from the family he provided for me, to the teachers who taught the classes. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope it inspires a lot of people to realize that they can do anything they want once they set their minds to it. God bless you!!!
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