I am Privileged

CIO Unplugged. A blog at the traffic circle of professional, personal, 
technical and healthcare. Opinions my own.

I am privileged. Our family rose from the ashes of Gurs and Dachau. USA adopted my teenage father. Prior to becoming a citizen, he was drafted in the US Army and returned to Germany to occupy his former homeland. He was eventually granted citizenship and through 45 years of public service, fought for our freedoms and ideals in combat (Vietnam) so others could avoid communism and socialism and fascism. I am privileged.

 I am privileged. My Mom was bombed daily by the allies as her daddy died on the Russian front. At 12 she became the head of the family and dropped school to work factories. Wait. The schools were bombed anyway so they scrambled to survive. I am privileged.

 I am privileged. While free, we were raised modestly. Dad had a good service career but with 7 kids we survived on food stamps and hot school breakfast and lunch. I wore hand me down clothes. The same set, one week at a time. We were allowed two showers per week. We cut our own hair. My Keds tennis shoes from the PX cost $1.99. I worked paper routes and refereed soccer and worked as a janitor. I sold cookies door to door. In my teens I was arrested twice and repaid obligations to society and family. I am privileged.

 I am privileged. I was given a $25 suitcase for graduation. I was raised told I would go to college but without means to pay. I worked as a painter between classes. At night I worked Domino’s Pizza making $3.25 per hour. I joined the Army Reserve. During Summers when friends had fun I was in basic training (age 17) and combat medic training the next Summer (age 18). At age 19, I was in ROTC camps. I literally had three jobs to pay my way. Once a month I received a letter from home. It contained two dollars for help with laundry. I am privileged.

 I am privileged. In school I drank and partied and flunked out. My life was a mess. I found Jesus and cleaned up. I was on academic probation and learned to study. Broken but with new purpose. My life forever changed. I am privileged.

 I am privileged. I graduated but could not land a good paying job. I refused unemployment. I was raised to work, not loaf. I took any work, normally though temp agencies. I worked dust filled factories at 5am gluing DVD/CD racks together. I took food stamps until I could work overtime. I worked assembly lines creating Waterpik shower heads and toothbrushes. I took odd jobs to sustain my family. Desperate, nothing was beneath me. I had a family to raise. I am privileged.

 I am privileged. I worked my ass off. I kept at it. I didn’t care what job, I took it. With jobs scarce, I started a window washing company with a friend. There I was. Master’s Degree and Army Reserve officer washing windows and dropping flyers door to door. I would rather work then complain and collect. I learned humility as I washed windows for people who knew me. I had faith that someday something might break my way if I kept my shoulder to the wheel. Will someone notice me? I cried out to the Lord so many nights. I am privileged.

 I am privileged. The hardest of all. I learned to give even the little I had. I learned poverty nor wealth is measured by a bank balance but by our willingness to give to others. I became rich by giving. I learned to pour into others what was poured into me. I volunteered and served. I focused on others not self. It was not easy but I placed my burdens on God who told me to give them to Him. He would carry me. He still does today. I am privileged.

 I am privileged. Would someone notice me? I received hundreds of rejection letters. Making it to the finals, I was turned down three times because the way I looked. Finally. Someone noticed. In my temporary hospital job, someone noticed. I cried the day Mary Hein called me and offered me my first salaried job. I think I was 28 (?). No more food stamps. No more odd jobs. No more financial struggle. It took 10 years of hardship and patience. Totally worth it. Made me who I am today. I am privileged.

 I am privileged. I kept the same attitude of hard work and gratitude and service. Despite my family being burned in Dachau. Despite growing up poor. Despite all the setbacks with police and alcohol and flunking, I held my chin up and worked. I clung to the hope of our amazing country and amazing God. I am privileged.

 I am privileged that our country adopted my daddy. I am privileged that our country gave him a chance to work hard and achieve success. I am privileged that I fought my demons and turned to God. I am privileged that I learned to persevere. To work a little harder than many others. To keep trying even after failing and failing. I am privileged to live in a free country that offers hope for everyone. A country full of opportunities. While imperfect, there is no other country in the world like mine. Even for a Jew boy like me. I am privileged.