My great expectations is a simple country life

Great ExpectationsI recently celebrated my 80th birthday and I can't help but think back to my early years. That was when it all began. I've written about that time before but it's important to point out that it shaped my desire for life in the country; a life like what I've lived here in North Auburn for almost 33 years now.My love for country living started before I began going to school. We lived in Los Angeles when my mother became ill and was in the French hospital in L.A. We had no health insurance, so my father continued to drive a truck up and down the west coast in order to pay the hospital bills. I was sent to stay with my grandparents, on their farm south of L.A.I was happy there. I would follow my grandpa around most days, watching everything he did. And in the evening the three of us would share a meal together. I was a shy and introverted little boy, I loved them both, and I seldom said a word during dinner. I was afraid they might send me away if I didn't behave well. After dinner, I'd sit by their fireplace and work on the follow-the-dot books my mother gave me for the stay.I don't know how long I was kept out there but it left me with a love of the open country, a love of animals, a love of lying in the tall grass and looking up at the billowing clouds and the deep blue sky. It was what I wanted for my future. I was determined that someday I would achieve it for myself. I promised myself and I never gave up on that promise.When my mother was released from the hospital, I was sent home. She enrolled me in a Catholic school to begin my education. I'd never seen a nun in her black robes and that rope and those beads around her waist. My first-grade teacher carried a wooden dowel and I did whatever I was told to do. I got off to a good start with my lessons. And if ever I asked my dad for help with my homework, if there were any erasure smears, he'd insist I copy the entire thing over again. Infuriating, but it made for nice neat homework turned in.As the years and the grades went by, the nuns began suggesting I look into the seminary. They thought I had a calling for the priesthood. I was attracted, but the fields, the animals, the barns and the quiet were calling me more. And by then, I was taking the entrance exam for an all-boys Catholic high school in Los Angeles. And I was lucky enough to win a one-year scholarship. But that began all the "what field do you plan to go into in college?" questions and I had no idea.I just wanted to live an honest life out in the country. I had no need to be rich but I had a definite fear of becoming poor. Over time, I began to see my four years there as something I'd just have to endure before I could get on with my life.I wasn't doing well in my German class and the teacher told me if I'd quit early, there'd be no grade shown on my report card. I waited two days to quit and he gave me an "F" on my record. The only "F" I've ever received. We each had to meet with the principal at graduation time. When he asked me what university I intended to attend, I told him I had no immediate plans; I might join the Navy. (it was 1957.) He told me I was a loser and would never amount to anything in my life and he meant it. I left his office with a determination that burned within me for years to come. I'm writing this for those young people reading this that are graduating from high school and aren't sure of what to do. If you want a college education, go for it. It's probably what you're meant for. But if you want to do things with your hands like I did, and you have a specific dream, follow that dream and don't give up until you achieve it.After I graduated, and after that talk with the principal, this 17-year-old felt mighty low. But I was able to get a union apprenticeship in a building trade. It included good pay while being trained, and no student loan. And I was fortunate enough to meet Mickie, my wife of over 60 years, when I was just out of high school. She shared my same dreams of an eventual home in the country and here we are today. We've worked hard for many years and we're proud of what we've accomplished. Follow your dreams and don't listen to those that want to see you fail. We love our home, we love our land, we love what we've made of this 11 acres of cattle grazing land. We've had a wonderful life here and are so thankful we followed our dreams. Dan Tomich, who spent his career in the construction industry, lives in North Auburn with his wife Mickie. Their sons are grown and are all in the same trade. Dan can be reached at dttomich@gmail.com.