Rewarding experience.

Stay the course Robert! Your a good man!.. My father passed away when I was 13. My brother, 3 yrs older, gave up on his aspiration of being a veterinarian because someone needed to go to work and pay the bills as mom was disabled and finances were extremely tight. He gave up a lot, his life long goal! I even went to work at 14. I would work in the summers and would hand over my checks to my mom. Because of my brother I was able to go to college and follow through with my career aspirations. When I was senior in college I was offered a full academic scholarship to George Washington Univ. for Forensic Science. Unfortunately I had to turn it down because it was now my turn to sacrifice and take care of my mother who was stricken with cancer. My brother had done a lot and I felt and knew it was my turn to really step up. He was able to move out and marry.
Being the provider/caretaker made me a better person and strengthened my bond with my mother. I put serious relationships on hold until she passed. No regrets. I just wish my mom was around to see the birth of my son. God has his way of repaying you for the care of one of his weakened children....For sacrificing a chance to be a vet , my brother now operates & owns a very successful MOPAR parts business for over 20years!
I look at my sacrifices as non-existent compared to others who sacrificed everything including their health or lives such as our war veterans that are coming back home with missing limbs and PTSD. God bless you brother!