Short Story
At 45 he was doing well. He earned his MBA from Harvard. By 25 he was married. His wife who was two years younger, was a law graduate from the same university. The three children they bred, ages: 18, 16, and 14, were all top students. The couple were now investing in the stock market and other streams of passive income.
Coming out of a poor community and venturing into a new world was indeed challenging and at the same time a bite of the reality sandwich. His upbringing did not promise much. Most of the influencers, spoke without much hope for a better life. He listened, agreed with some but secretly questioned some of the line of reasoning. When he was old enough to challenge some thoughts expressed by his elders, it often resulted in fierce verbal contests. He wanted to remain loyal to the people who sacrificed their labor and time to raise him. But he took a chance and sought a different path.
The change came when he met his wife in high school. She was raised under similar circumstances but pointed him to some literature she stumbled upon at the school's library. His wife was a voracious reader and had consumed her newly found enlightenment with fervor. He took some home and studied them as well.
The theme of their find was 'you are the change.' That was a stunning revelation to both he and his wife. Often he heard his uncles and aunts and cousins pointed their fingers to someone else as being primarily responsible for the situations the were in. That often sounded good and comforting. But it did not change anything. Life remained the same. It was if as everyone was marking time. He followed his wife's advice and his life took a remarkable turn.
He wanted to go back to his community and help a few people. His attempts often brought strong resistance. But he and his wife promised themselves not to ever give up.
© Wallace Paul. March 2024
At 45 he was doing well. He earned his MBA from Harvard. By 25 he was married. His wife who was two years younger, was a law graduate from the same university. The three children they bred, ages: 18, 16, and 14, were all top students. The couple were now investing in the stock market and other streams of passive income.
Coming out of a poor community and venturing into a new world was indeed challenging and at the same time a bite of the reality sandwich. His upbringing did not promise much. Most of the influencers, spoke without much hope for a better life. He listened, agreed with some but secretly questioned some of the line of reasoning. When he was old enough to challenge some thoughts expressed by his elders, it often resulted in fierce verbal contests. He wanted to remain loyal to the people who sacrificed their labor and time to raise him. But he took a chance and sought a different path.
The change came when he met his wife in high school. She was raised under similar circumstances but pointed him to some literature she stumbled upon at the school's library. His wife was a voracious reader and had consumed her newly found enlightenment with fervor. He took some home and studied them as well.
The theme of their find was 'you are the change.' That was a stunning revelation to both he and his wife. Often he heard his uncles and aunts and cousins pointed their fingers to someone else as being primarily responsible for the situations the were in. That often sounded good and comforting. But it did not change anything. Life remained the same. It was if as everyone was marking time. He followed his wife's advice and his life took a remarkable turn.
He wanted to go back to his community and help a few people. His attempts often brought strong resistance. But he and his wife promised themselves not to ever give up.
© Wallace Paul. March 2024