As most of you know, the last several years have been interesting in the employment department. Tim overcame multiple obstacles to get his BA (2001) and MAT (2005) which led to a career as a teacher. After several years of teaching, he persevered through challenging circumstances and went on to get his IAL (2013), allowing him to be a school administrator. Then, despite getting awesome grades and rave reviews from everyone - students, classified staff, licensed teachers, administrators, and professors in his admin program - along the way, as well as having multiple situations where he was told during interviews that a district wanted to hire him, he couldn't land a job for several years.
People often asked if we should just accept that education was a closed door. We were certainly open to Tim moving on to something different, but no other doors opened. We're not a flashy family and live comfortably on less than most people would assume a family of six needs, but taking an entry level job at minimum wage just wasn't going to cut it. Meanwhile, education continued to feed our family and pay our bills through subbing during the school year and God always provided temporary jobs when subbing dried up in the summer. So we just stayed the course.
Until we didn't.
Tim was presented with a new opportunity. He took it. We committed to giving it one year, then we'd reevaluate.
It's now been eighteen months since he joined the International Union of Operating Engineers and he loves it. He's learned new things, met new people, and had new experiences. He's been a crane oiler, elevator operator, and passed the first of multiple crane operator license tests he plans to master. He's lived in the Gorge part-time working on a railroad, driven to Eugene each morning to work at Hayward Field, worked high on the new Multnomah County Central Courthouse with a great view of the Willamette River, and been part of a project on MLK in Portland. Each job lasts several months and has different shift hours, so our family has had to acclimate to a new normal from time to time, but it's been a positive experience and we're grateful for this season of our lives.
As for me, I'm so very thankful for a husband who works hard, never complains about funky hours or long days, and always contributes to household and family responsibilities when he's home. I'm really proud of how he's always kept a positive attitude in the midst of unstable employment. He's grabbed this mid-life career change by the horns, choosing to cheerfully look forward to a new season and make the best of it instead of wallowing in frustration about what feels to me like a whole lot of wasted time, money, and sacrifice for the previous season. He just does the best he can with whatever's in front of him, then rolls with the punches.
Why has it taken me so long to say all this? The career change wasn't a secret and he didn't mind if I shared the new situation if it came up naturally in conversation, but he specifically asked that I not make an announcement. So I've restrained my chatty self, resisted the urge to use part of my huge daily allotment of words, and respected his wishes.
A few days ago I asked for a picture of him in one of his union hats after work. He complied. Later I asked if he minded if I did a blog post saying I was proud of how he's handled his career change, as doing so would naturally require talking about the fact he's no longer working in the education field. He declined. Then he changed his mind the next day. So now I've told all of you why I think he's awesome.
And now I'll show you how difficult he makes my life.
I asked for a picture and got this cheesy face.
Tried again and got this nonsense.
Begged and got something closer to normal.
Finally got him to laugh and snapped a picture.
And that's that. Just a steady, hard-working guy who does whatever it takes to pay the bills and makes time with his family a priority.
What? You want a picture of him on the job? Ok, fine. This was from a few days ago, his first day on a warm, internal elevator after months on a cold, exterior one.
And now that's really that.
3 comments:
What a guy! Perseverance, trust in the Lord, willing to step out in faith, hard working, personable, loving husband and father, and oh funny, but hey, don't let it all go to his head. He's an all round good guy and I'm blessed to have him as a friend.
I think that's fantastic!! I will admit I wish I could channel my inner Tim when it comes to flexibility, rolling with new changes, and keeping a positive attitude without getting stuck in Regret Land. Sounds like his new work will bring a lot of literal highs and different points of view too! Awesome post, and just the positive but real dose I was needing today.
That's awesome, Bethany. A hard working husband is a huge blessing. My dad and brother both are part of that union, working up in Alaska on the haul road and pipeline camps.
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