First, a word about Jaquie Beckwith, who passed away on --04-29.
When I found Jaquie's YouTube channel, she was still in the process of becoming an American citizen. I decided to subscribe, because I actually have the same goal and thought I could learn from her videos. I did learn from them as I hoped to, and I kept watching after that. Jaquie and Judd were open and honest about Jaquie's health problems, showing not only the good times, but also the bad times.
May the knowledge Jaquie and Judd shared reach all who need it, and may it be kept alive.
Next, I'm sorry for not posting last Friday. I hope this post will make up for it.
Now, let me change to the actual reason for this post.
While working as a truck driver, my dad had an accident. He was flung out of his cabin and broke a leg. Although he recovered well enough to do everything again, it was never a complete recovery. The accident may have lead to the loss of his job, but he didn't lose his perseverance.
As a child, I had a toy car and a toy scooter. My dad adapted both of them so that I could drive them. He even put a better seat on my scooter.
Our family has had several boats, and we loved to sail them around on the Schildmeer. Sometimes we had other family members come along. After cruising the Schildmeer, we graduated to bigger waters. I still remember how we crossed the Dollard, without GPS, armed only with a map and a compass.
My dad at the helm, and me in the back of the boat, with my wheels against the back wall and the compass on the deck, ready to tell my dad how to steer. There was a moment when he had a hard time believing me, but he did follow my instructions, and we landed smack bang on target!
That was on a boat especially adapted for me, and I'm kind of embarrassed to say...I only went along with my parents for one season.
My parents found a Speak & Spell in Hamburg, Germany, and had the insight that I could use that to help me learn the English language.
They wanted to buy a Speak & Spell for my birthday, but then they found out that it wasn't available in our local toy store. So, my parents drove all the way to Hamburg again, to buy that Speak & Spell for me. That was over 500 KM, there and back. For people from a country as small as ours, and for the time, 500 KM was a long way to travel, especially for a toy.
By the way, speaking of my learning the English language, my mom still remembers talking with my then English teacher and hearing her say, "I didn't teach Bert English. He had learned English already."
Later in my life, I started spending a lot of time in one place: In my room, at my desk. This gave my dad the idea of making a switch box that I could use to determine what device received electricity.
When I went to a school, the name of which translates to something like Part-time Short Medium Vocational Education, there came a day when they had to move. In the new location, the class was up a flight of stairs, and there was no elevator. My dad, who had been bringing me to school, just wasn't going to stand for it!
He argued with the people there until a (kind of) solution was found. I seem to remember that my study buddy and I ended up following the class in a room downstairs.
So, I guess that my desire not to give up came from my dad. My dad is still alive, but can the same be said for his influence on our family, or are we now a family of people who, as soon as we encounter a hurdle, simply...give up?
I hope not!
Now, don't get me wrong here. I'm not one to blindly charge into an unknown situation. I am, however, someone who adapts a plan, rather than simply giving up on it.
As always, I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post. If you have any questions or comments, then please let me know in the form down below.
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