I received a request from a reporter to write this story. I want to share it with others.
My Life Report Essay
Some people think it was a tough life for me to grow up number two of 15 children. As a child I wore hand-me-downs from my older brother and was encouraged to care for my clothes so that my other brothers could wear them. My parents worked hard to make a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread serve all of us at one meal. My mother worked hard with the daily tasks of raising 15 children, while my Dad worked hard at a Union job and numerous handyman jobs to provide for us. I’m happy that I was able to learn about giving, sharing and making the most of a little. I am blessed.
I married young. I know I was in love, despite all of the naysayers who tried to challenge my decision. Family, friends and employers tried to talk me out of it. I married well. By this I mean that I married a beautiful woman who loves me as much as I love her. Like many other married couples, we had to work thru the tough times together. Now, 34 years later there are no tough times. Our love is stronger now then I could ever have imagined. We are happy together, share with no second thought, laugh together, cry together and enjoy our lives together. I am blessed.
I participated in raising 4 beautiful, smart, self sufficient women. My careers did not allow me to be home as much as I wanted to. But, when I was home I played the role of Dad. Dad of wisdom (maybe), Dad of guidance (praying for guidance myself), Dad of discipline (never quite knowing what to do), Fun Dad (when I did what my girls wanted to do) and provider Dad (we managed to get by). My wife and I committed prior to marriage to having 4 children early in our marriage. We did this knowing we would sacrifice all of our wants until after the children were thru college. This turned out to be a wise thing for us to do. We raised 4 fantastic friends. We did not miss any wants and have realized that they weren’t real anyway. I am blessed.
I worked hard at every job I have had. I have had eight different employers and dozens of different jobs. I committed to learning as much as I could so that I would be able to do the best and to succeed at every job I had. I have been paid very very well for the jobs that I have had. Because of my work ethic, I have never had an interview, resume, background check or drug test. I have never been fired, riffed or laid off. I am blessed.
I discovered a few years ago that there must be a reason for being blessed. This discovery changed my life. I quit my job and started a business where I can give back 50% of my time, energy and knowledge. This includes helping our unemployed friends and neighbors on the difficult task of finding jobs. I am also writing two books. The balance of my time I use to train and consult in an area of business that I am very passionate and excited to be involved in. I have to make money to pay my bills and to feed my retirement, yet my wife supports my decision to give up a great job to chase a dream. We are happy and doing good, despite the significant reduction of income. I am blessed.
In summary, I live a blessed life and did not really realize it until recently. I have only one regret in my life. I wish I had learned much earlier in life that you can do well at giving back, because I have found that I love giving back. I am blessed
Teddy Burriss 