I got co-opted into running up to Arvada, Colorado from Prescott, Arizona this afternoon. On the bus ride from the rental car return to the airport, I got to listen to two immigrants with fairly thick accents talk to each other about the way to get ahead in America. It was a very enlightening conversation. Both of them said it is essential to get an education. The reason for the education was not the education itself, but how, in America, it could really open up job opportunities. One of them talked about his sister who was studying to be a nurse. The bus driver talked about his brother who came here with a Bachelors degree from his home country to study for a Masters degree.
He was an engineer and (I love this quote) and as an indicator of his brothers great success, he said, “He drives a brand new Ford Mustang.”
The other guy was in awe. He said, “Wow.”
They talked about various community college options, a six month program that would allow the bus driver to advance in his current job. It was all about the job. I am on board with that. I believe learning for learning’s sake is a good thing, but learning so you can put beans on the table is even better. Actually, they can be the same thing a lot of the time. It was all quite motivating. I left the bus inspired.
Aunt Julia had a birthday last week. I wrote her an email note. We both marveled out how good it is to be in our 50’s. I never would have imagined that I would enjoy this age so much. I kind of get the sense that the 60’s will be even better. This is especially true as our kids get to the end of their teen years and struggle to figure out what they should do, where they should go, the whole marriage thing, how to make a living, whether to continue their education, and etc., and etc. and etc. That is a great time to be alive, too, but much harder in many, many ways. Happy Birthday Aunt Julia.