As I walked through the dark corridor to the front door, the room was surrounded by an eerie silence that made the echo of my footsteps become louder with every step. When the doors swung open, I realized that today was my last day to be employed by Goodyear. Even though being unemployed makes me feel like I am worthless, I am satisfied because my education allows me to spend more time with my children.
First of all, the news of Goodyear shutting down devastated my life. Everything seemed to be turning inside out and I didn’t know what to do next. I went from twenty-five dollars an hour down to nothing. I didn’t think that I would ever have to look for employment again. Not being employed made me feel worthless as a husband and a father. My wife has had the luxury of being a caregiver and homemaker to our children. Now, after thirteen years, my wife had to go and get a job to help replace a part of my income. Now when my children ask for something I have to say that we can’t afford it, this often brings a tear to my eyes.
In addition, education is an important aspect in my life. I know now that without an education, good companies will not hire me. I am pleased that I have a chance to go back to college and receive my degree. The greatest aspect of this opportunity is that I receive a small wage weekly for attending college under the Trade Readjustment Act. Without that income coming in I would not have been able to return to college and receive a degree in air conditioning and refrigeration. I believe that getting a degree in this field allows me to become employable and provide for my family.
Now that I am in college, I realized that I have become a better father and husband. I now have more time to spend with my wife and three children. I used to work twelve to sixteen hours a day, six days a week. Now I am home with my family more than I have ever been. I now realize that children need their father present in their lives. The joys of being a father...