Dear @galenkp
Everything you comment including what happened to your mom, (Excuse me, receive my condolences). Regarding your father I leave you the best he had, and it was always being with you and having that family home and that's good. I never had a father, but now that I am a father, I will never abandon my daughters.
Your life I see that it has been something that I call it constancy and that is good not to faint and move on that when you say Tomorrow isn't promised, it is a phrase very similar to one that I always use, The future is uncertain.
My financial base just for me has always been a constancy in everything I do, I decided to be a teacher because I always liked to help those who knew less since I was a child, I shared your origin I also had a very basic childhood thanks to the Queen who is my mother she food was not lacking, but my brothers and I always felt that studies were paramount even though I also worked from a very young age, [I don't want to feel sorry for that] but I'm sure I wouldn't change that life for anything world.
I live in Venezuela an economically unstable country especially for university professors since with a communist and delinquent government, they are doing their best to destroy and disappear universities. I continue to teach even though I believe in education, and now my biggest investment is to be within this platform that gives me medium and economic impulses.
Your Friend, Lanzjoseg
It sounds to me that you're on the right path and possess the right attitude to move yourself, and family, forward confidently and with the best life ethos in mind.
Hard work doesn't always provide everything we need, but it provides more than simply waiting for handouts. Sure, many get handouts they may not deserve and it can seem unfair, but working for ones' reward brings a good attitude and outlook which I feel is critical in life...For the future. Attitude is everything.
Thank you for your excellent response and i wish you all the best; It seems like you are making the best from a bad situation over there and are refusing to simply sit and wait for life to collapse around you.Well done.