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course PHY 201
Hello All,My name is Bernie Cranford. I am 50 years old and presently attempting an Electrical Engineering degree at Old Dominion University. My first draft of this turned out to be the beginning of a novel, so I cut it down to a short story instead. This is my second attempt at college. I started college right out of high school, did a tour in the Air National Guard, working as a reconnaissance photo interpreter. I have worked as a cook, shipping clerk, sales clerk, sales manager, business owner, and for most of my life as a project manager for a drapery manufacturer. I have worked all over the world and managed projects at hotels such as the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, The Opryland Hotel, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in D.C., and in places such as Bermuda, Hawaii, St. Thomas, Costa Rica, and the Azores.
In 2005, my life was changed for the second time due to illness. The first ended my Air Force and early college experience. This time, I was informed that my kidneys were failing and that I would need to have a transplant. I was also informed that I would need open heart surgery before I could even be considered for the transplant. I had the heart surgery and was put on dialysis for two and a half years. I finally received a kidney from my wife, Amy, who turned out to be a perfect match. In the Fall of 2011, I felt that I needed to do something to get back out in the world, so, I decided to go back to school, to do something to make me use my brain. I graduated from SVCC in the Spring of 2013 with an Electronics Technology degree and now a distance learning student with ODU. I hope to someday be able to go to work as a productive member of society. I wish you all well in your education and careers, and urge you to get your degrees when you are young. It is so much more difficult to go back after you have a family and responsibilities. Start your careers out with a firm foundation and don’t give up on your goals..___________________
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Quite a story.
Coincidentally today is the first anniversary of my heart attack, which led to bypass surgery a day later. They got everything in time and I've healed almost completely. I hope your recovery was as smooth, though with the kidney problem I expect it might not have been quite as smooth.
Anyway, I've very glad to hear that your health has improved, and I'll look forward to working with you.
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