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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'>The Big Decision <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bonnie Blose<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“You’re going to have twins. There is a chance they will be born early. You will need to Rest and relax as much as you can.” Dr. Andrews said as Paul and Gladys Blose left his office. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> On the way home my mother thought about the three children she already had to care for. How would they make ends meet and pay extra bills without the money she earned from her job at the sewing mill? <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I should be happy about new life coming in to the world, Gladys told herself, but I’m so worried. We just can’t afford extras right now, and that includes twins. Looking at Paul’s face, she tried to imagine what he was thinking. An eighth grade education was one thing they shared. Until now, it had been enough. There were so many things they already lived without. Pat needed a new dress for the school dance. It was her first. Ron was in high school and hoped to marry Marian right after graduation. We’ve stretched to make ends meet to the point where we can’t do any more. I’ve managed to put bac a little extra for Pat and Ron. How can I possibly do more? Paul hasn’t noticed yet, but he will worry if I can’t account for every penny from now on. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Ronnie will have to quit school and get a job. Family must help at a time like this. I’m so glad he is old enough to do it. I know he wants his high school diploma, but it’s what he will have to do, “Paul said. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“We can’t ask him to make such a sacrifice. He has always talked about being the first in our family to graduate from high school. Other than marrying Marian and beginning their life together, it’s all he’s talked about for months. It would break his heart if we asked him to quit school, “Gladys replied.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“He is the oldest. Things happen. He will have to,” Paul insisted. Ron and Marian are thinking about a family of their own. Our twins are not his or Marian’s responsibility,” Gladys said quietly. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> How could she soften the blow to her oldest son’s dreams? She wanted her children to have so much more than she and Paul had. Gladys made a dinner including all Ron’s favorites. The doctor’s orders would have to wait until tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>It was a dinner and conversation they would never forget. Over plates filled with chicken and mashed potatoes followed by apple pie, Paul broke the news.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Tom Wilson has known us for years and would hire you at the drop of a hat, Ron. If he doesn’t need anybody right now, we’ll visit the hardware store and some other places. We’ll go see him tomorrow. If we’re lucky, you might have a job by Monday,” Paul said. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Heartbroken but resigned, Ron and his dad went to see Mr. Wilson at his grocery store the next day.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tom listened as Paul explained the situation. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Your father has this all worked out, Ron. How do you feel about this? Is it what you want?” Mr. Wilson asked.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“It’s what dad wants me to do. I’d like to finish my senior year, but there is no way I can do that now. I have to help my family,” Ron answered softly. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A few moments of silence followed as they waited anxiously for Mr. Wilson’s reply. “I understand how worried you are, Paul. Many fathers would ask a son to do this. My son Bob has often told me about the good grades you have gotten on tests, Ron. I admire that. My mother needed help when my dad died when I was just a year younger than you are now. She told me we would make out just fine, but I knew she needed help. My sisters were little, and she wanted to be home with them. Overnight, I was the man of the house. I’ll never forget the talk I had with the principal back then or how much I didn’t want to knock on his door. Mr. Howard understood, but I’ve often wondered what he really thought. Times were different then. I’ve made a success of this business and my life. Your request does take me back, though. I know mom has always regretted my leaving school. She wanted so much for me. How does Gladys feel about all this, Paul?” Tom asked.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Well, she’s not happy about it, Tom. I think she was looking forward to Ron’s graduation almost as much as he is. She knows it is what we must do.” Paul answered. I’ll tell you what I will do, Ron. You get that diploma. Come to me the day after you graduate if you still want a job. I promise you right now you’ll have one here at that time. I can’t stop a boy from graduating and won’t do that. Would you both agree to this plan? <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ron smiled and said yes. Reluctantly, Ron’s father agreed. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ron was the first in our family to get his high school diploma. He married Marian that summer. They went on to raise two boys who graduated from college. It all began with a boy who had a dream and a storekeeper who knew the value of an education.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I was one of those twins. My mother went back to work but decided to clean houses and iron clothes to make extra money. We had mother daughter conversations that would never have happened if she had gone back to that mill. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>