“Success isn’t measured by how much money you have in the bank nor by the style of clothes you wear. It’s not measured by the size of the house you live in or by how many fancy cars you drive. Success is simply measured by how many smiles you bring to others throughout your life.”

Those were the words spoken by my father as he lay on his death bed. You see, my daddy was an American Soldier, a proud Veteran of the United States Army. He lived, fought, and eventually died, for his country so that others may enjoy the rights and happiness of freedom. No, he did not die on the battlefield. Unknowingly, he brought the battlefield home with him. He died of a disease he acquired 34 years before when he served in Vietnam.

Mike and his dad

For years, after my daddy passed away, I wondered about and questioned the “success” of my life as I went from job to job. It wasn’t until a few years ago, that I realized how my life was becoming “successful.” I was working for a company that weatherized homes for low-income families. With the experience and knowledge I gained from this, I have become part of the Weatherization Assistance Program at Nevada Rural Housing Authority.

Working in Weatherization allows me the opportunity to bring joy and happiness into people’s lives. When people call us, they have often been denied many well-deserved services from other organizations. They are feeling disappointed, unwanted, and forgotten. We are the last line of defense, literally, against the elements for our clients. I keep this in my mind whenever I assess a potential client’s unit. 

Sitting down with our clients to discuss the services that we may be able to provide them is my favorite part of the job. To see their feelings of hopelessness turn into tears of joy warms my heart. Their faces light up and their smiles are as bright as the sun. It’s a feeling that no money, no raise, no bonus, not even winning the lottery could ever replace. Once the work is complete and their bills are lowered, they will be able to enjoy comfort, peace of mind and little more freedom in their daily life.

Knowing I’m keeping my daddy’s dream alive by bringing a smile to the faces of others, makes me realize just how “successful” my life has become. Being a part of the Weatherization Assistance Program allows me to do this on a daily basis. This is why I love the job I have.