Of course we always got presents for our birthdays. My mom always tried very hard to get us what we wanted.

On my 15th birthday she really surprised me though. I don’t remember the gift but I do remember that she picked me up from school that day and took to me to get a work permit.  And not only did she get me a work permit she also got me a job! Mom had arranged for me to work in our dentist office.

I found that I enjoyed working. The dentist employed mostly high school and college students and our work schedules were designed around our school schedules. Not bad.

I loved learning and earning money. I learned responsibility, how to deal with the public and how to be a team player.

I was a success at work. I earned a lot of responsibility quickly and knew that I was trusted by my boss and co-workers.  Work was a place where I learned self-confidence and work was a place where I felt safe. Work was already a safe-haven from the fear that I would carry about in so much of the rest of my life.