Work Like Noah

Work’s A Big Deal

By Societies standards my father wasn’t a big success, considered just a lowly clerk But what he gave me was invaluable, an appreciation for the value of work.

My father was actually a Chemist for the City of New York where he and my mother (a nurse) did give me the treasure of a work ethic. Growing up in Jamaica Queens, we defied the odds. Surrounded by arrested development all around, we thrived. The reason was that their commitment and faithfulness was infectious. They put three African American sons through college. All three have never been incarcerated, have Masters Degrees, and are extremely happy. As children, we went to the same schools, played in the same playgrounds and in some cases, attended the same churches as our peers. I can’t say what happened in the homes of those that went to jail or worse; however, I can say what happened in mine. It might have been the love, because it was definitely there, or the care, since we lacked for nothing. I believe a big part of it was because they worked hard and expected us to follow their example, and once we started working hard it grew a life of its’ own. Some would say that it was a self-propagating habit. I’d work and receive the fruits of my labor, which would lead me to more work and increasing fruits. I’m not just talking about my professional life. I have a wonderful marriage that I work at. My four boys, praise God, are awesome young men.