Someone once said, "It is never too late for anything."
Fortunately, those words came back to me when, at the age of thirty-one, upon the death of my husband, I found myself totally responsible for raising four children alone. Of course, we all were devastated, and I had to figure out how best to carry on. Having only secretarial training, I knew I needed the college education I had rejected years earlier. Although I probably could have gotten a job as a secretary, that would have meant being away from the children twelve months a year with only vacation time together. I thought that if I were able to become a teacher, I could be with them entire summers and school vacations.
Being married to a civil engineer made me realize how important further education is, and made me consider following up on the idea of becoming a teacher. At the time, it seemed an impossible challenge. Since there weren't too many choices available, I decided to try the impossible. But I had so many doubts: Would I be admitted as a college student at all? Could I handle the course work? Could I schedule classes while my children were in school? So I started with just one evening class—and I passed. Then two more classes the next semester—again I passed. And finally, after finding a good babysitter, I became a full-time student.
My children were cooperative with housework, we gave up many social events, and together we lived a jam-packed but happy life. To my surprise, with many hitches and glitches, I received a bachelor's degree that enabled me to teach English at a high school for thirteen years and then at a community college for another sixteen years. With help from my children and extended family, I was given a great opportunity and a second chance in life.
—DIANE
