Career Choice

Through various career option tests, Deborah scored highest to be a police officer. We knew she was fearless, and after her recovery from psychosis, she went with her dad to the orientation the Police Department held for new recruits. They told the groups that everyone has to be drug free, and have good friends for the next three years. Deborah took this seriously, and indeed her life transformed as of February, to be absolutely, ready and able to qualify for this employment. She was made aware that this was not my favourite of career choices for her, but her inspiration came from a police officer whose son she cared  for 9 yrs. In her final letter, she told this man, that he was her "hero". A man of character, a great dad, and gracious overall.

Her second career "best fits" were all the trades. So happily we enrolled at Kwantlen, for her to be an electrician, as this is the cleanest, I would say of all the trades. Having four daughters, I always thought that doing a traditional man's job would be a wonderful pursuit, and Deboah fit the character. She was great with her hands, not just playing the piano, but stirring cement for a newly built deck.

While she was waiting for the three magical years to transpire, she can get a trade happening, I thought. In the meantime,we were informed by the receptionist that there is a low voltage program for 6 weeks that she can enroll in for free, which will help to prepare her for her course due to begin next March (2015). She completed the course, having acquired her license to drive a forklift as well. Her steel toed work boots looked quiet nice, which we purchased at Marks.  She also acquired her class 5 drivers license this year. At the spur of the moment, the night before her road test, she informed us of her intention. We scrambled to clean the SUV out, and put gas in it. She hardly ever drove that car, and lo and behold, she did it, on her first try. We were thrilled, I standing by, in disbelief. The car she initially bought with her dad, a 1979 Mustang Ghia, was not as reliable, and the signal lights were only intermittently working. This forest green car with the moon roof is still sitting on our driveway. She said that it was too costly to drive, and so she preferred getting rides or taking public transportation. I ended up purchasing the car back from her.

August 1st, on a Friday she got a phone call from Kwantlen University, that there is a spot for her to take the Electrician's Foundation course starting on the 4th. I suppose someone cancelled, and the spot became available. She spoke with the lady a few times, back and forth with her decision. At one point she even took the money out of her bank account in order to pay for her schooling. She was working since the age of 10 to save money for this big day. She had enough to pay the entire semester out. She seemed full of stress, and anxiety all of a sudden, and we realized that this is not good for her health. My one daughter spoke with her and told her that unless she can apply herself fully, it is best to wait till March, the original date of her classes. Deborah said that for the time being, she only wants to focus on her baptism, which was in preparation to occur later in August.

How sorely she is missed.