Chapter 7: A Career of Opportunities

In life, one has to deal with the realities and consequences of both fortunate circumstances and adverse situations. Both prosperity and adversity come in various forms, and the consequences vary depending on their form, frequency, and duration. The consequences of fortunate or unfortunate situations in early years may be positive or negative respectively. Although this observation may generally be true, I have a different story. My story begins with the revelation that both of my parents were alcoholics and their alcoholism significantly influenced my formative years. In later years, I exhibited all of the classic characteristics of an adult-child of alcoholics. Paradoxically, some characteristics of an adult-child of alcoholics positively influenced my motivations, thinking, and decisions while pursuing a career in science education.