I haven't really posted much about my dad.
Mostly because he only reads my blog once a quarter.
He and I are a lot alike.
We are both highly emotional and dramatic creatures with a propensity for perfectionism.
Or we're both moody and difficult. Whichever you prefer.
Today is my dad's birthday.
And I am really proud of him.
Dad's life has undergone some serious changes in the last few years.
He has handled them with grace and dignity.
(Except for those few dramatic moments where he proved moody and difficult.)
One of the changes has been his career.
My dad was a high school football coach until I was in the 9th grade. Sports is his passion and he had a lot of success as a coach.
It is not uncommon to be somewhere with Dad and he'll be approached by a middle aged man who recognizes him as Coach. The greeting will be followed by stories of what a tremendous influence Dad had on that person's life.
After coaching, Dad began working in a family business.
This might be a good place to point out that I am not an advocate of family business. The end.
He remained at that business for about 18 years.
Recently, he began looking for a new career.
The job market is not a welcoming place for 50-something men.
My dad is incredibly talented. He is THE BEST people person that I know.
But nobody wants to hire a 50-something man.
He was too experienced. (What the heck is that?)
A really smart investment firm saw the potential in him. Dad didn't have any experience in the financial world, but they saw a hard worker with phenomenal people skills who was willing to learn.
And they hired him.
Now when I say that Dad had no experience in the financial world, I am so not exaggerating.
He began a VERY rigorous study program that has often involved 16 hour days at a computer.
Learning and testing, learning and testing.
All of this was in preparation for The Big Test.
The Big Test is a one shot deal on which you must make a 70.
No second chance.
On Tuesday he took The Big Test.
Six grueling hours.
AND HE DID GREAT!
I know how hard it must be to learn something new as you get older.
He has sacrificed so much time in preparation for this test and this job.
I am so very proud of him.
Happy Birthday, Dad. I love you so much.
Especially your dramatic flair and tendencies toward emotion and perfectionism.
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