We were a blue collar family through and through. From my great grandfather who was a logger in Nova Scotia to my Grandfather and then my father, who both farmed to live

Since for many reasons I never went to college I have always wondered what my life would've been like if I had. Not that I regret the life I've chosen because i certainly don't. But, beyond the stories I've heard about parties in the dorms, I have yearned for a higher education directed at a specific occupation. Sure, I've taken many Lifelong Learning courses and earned college credits (aced them all), but I'm talking about committing to college during that period of my youth when I'm deciding my future.

I'm not so sure what occupation I'd have chosen but something that required higher learning. I know I was capable at the time because I always passed any test I took if I simply applied myself even the slightest.

Today, it seems like everyone I meet has a degree of some kind. I suppose I feel a bit less, not deprived, as a result. I know that my family may have wanted college for us kids but at the time it was not a real possibility. None of my grandparents and their siblings went to college. Neither did any of my aunts or uncles that I can think of and I have at least 40 of them.

We were a blue collar family through and through. From my great grandfather who was a logger in Nova Scotia to my Grandfather and then my father, who both farmed to live, the idea of secondary education was rarely brought up to us kids or encouraged. There were no Pell grants back then and there as no way my parents could pay for even one of us to attend.

Here's my grandfather with the draw horses on his Maine farm

We were a self-sufficient family. Dad always told us, "If you spend the same 40 hours a week that you work for a boss and apply it to anything with your efforts, you'll never hurt for work or be afraid of being laid off or fired."

He was right for the most part. None of my 9 siblings ever thought differently. Not a single child out of 10 went to a full year of college and every one of them has owned or is still owner of their own business. I think in many ways that's quite remarkable, especially since we were taught by a man that never reached 9th grade.

Still, about 95% of our friends have diplomas and many have numerous degrees at the highest levels. I can only imagine what knowlege they posses and what I could've been able to use in my life.

I don't regret this course of life and I'm proud to be an example of my father's guidance in what I do and the importance of it. But, I do wonder what I would be doing today if I had become more educated. I do know one thing. I would not have gone to Viet Nam and that alone has impacted the choices I've made since.

So, if I was to turn back the clock and find myself at that veritable fork in the road, I'm not sure which route I would take if I knew then what I know now.