""Don, I don't know who gave you your work ethic, and all credit for the scholarship etc - but it didn't serve you terribly well did it? ""

My father, who came over here from Ireland in the reverse of our unmissed Jim Carroll, volunteered (though he didn't need to) to serve in WW2, and subsequently held down three jobs at the same time so that his family could survive. My failure to go further in education was due entirely to the need for money to support my family, which was paramount for me as it was for my father.

My kids are doing better than I ever did, which makes the hardship worthwhile, but I don't expect you to understand that, as to do so you would have had to be in that position.

As for my grandchildren, they will thrive thank you. My children are already taking care of that.

Don T.