Where I grew up, there were many friends of mine who both their parents went to college and had a degree. I always felt awkward telling them that my dad never went to college and was only a truck driver. When I was young he was gone on the road for weeks at a time, but he worked his hardest to provide for us and give us just as much as parents who had a piece of paper saying that they had extra schooling. My dad put in his hours doing everything from roofing to factory work to truck driving and taught me all the life lessons in between.
Even though I may have been embarrassed before that my dad had a "blue collar" job, I am now proud of him because of it. The parents who have blue collar jobs work harder than anyone I have ever met. They know the definition of long nights and early mornings. They have dirt under their fingernails and callouses on their hands. They teach their children the true value of a dollar. They strive harder for their children to study hard and get the education they never had. My dad has taught me more practicalities and lessons of life by knowing how to work with his hands. He has taught me how hard you have to work to truly get what you want.
There is such a need right now for those blue collar workers because so many are bypassing the hard work for an easy desk job. Even though our country is evolving we still need these hard workers as our backbone. You can only be as strong as your weakest link but how will it survive if the link is not there at all?
When I was first looking at colleges I really questioned myself if I wanted to go. I saw how my dad made the life he did without that little piece of paper. I had to ask myself what I personally wanted though. I knew there was more knowledge for me to learn before I was ready to go into the workforce and my dad supported me the whole way.
To the parents without a college degree I hope you teach your children like my dad taught me the lessons of life. Make your children proud to say the profession you are with love in their heart. I want to say thank you to any parents who have worked this hard life and provide for their children in all the ways still. I have learned that my dad is way more than just a truck driver.
