your story is a sad one, and reminds me of singer Sammy Kershaw.
His dad died when Sammy was 11 and he was forced to provide for his family.
So, except for a short stint as manager of renovations for Home Depot, he performed.
I had it better than my uncles.
One was taken out of school in 3rd grade to help support the family.
Both of my grandparents died and another uncle quit in 5th grade to work to keep the family together.
My youngest uncle was the only boy to finish high school.
His senior year he walked 25 miles to school every morning, walked 25 miles home every evening and worked part time at the local Piggly Wiggly.
He went to college at UVA, working in the cafeteria and living on campus during the week. On Friday he would walk the 30 miles home to work at the Piggly Wiggly and Do odd jobs to pay for college.
He ran out of money his 4th year and had to quit.
He joined the army and over 8 years finished his school.
Out of 10 children he and my mom were the only 2 to finish high school.
Compared to them my life has been easy.
Hard work is in our blood. We wouldn’t know what to do without it.