I had all kinds of plans for after I graduated from high school. I wanted to become an HVAC technician before I got too old. I also wanted to take a year off and enjoy being a kid, for just a little bit longer. Then the unthinkable happened. My dad had a heart attack and could no longer work. I had to be the man of the family and take on some responsibility. Mom and I talked about my going to HVAC class, and she told me I could still go. I just had to put it off until dad was on the mend. I was afraid that if I didn’t go to HVAC class now, it would never happen. I went to the school and asked if there were alternative classes I could take part time. I thought that if I could go to school half a day, I would have plenty of time to take over some household chores, and still get a part time job. I didn’t realize the instructor was standing behind me. When I walked away from the admissions desk, he asked me to walk with him. I told him about my dad and how I had to help out at home. I wanted to go to HVAC school, but I also had to get a job. He offered me a job in his HVAC company, and said he would help me with my lessons when I wasn’t busy. I couldn’t wait to go home and tell mom and dad about my job offer. Usually it was mom who cried, but dad cried this time. He told me he was proud to call me his son, who had