A Message of Perseverance w/Ferrari Content

If moderators feel that ths should be moved to the off topic section feel free to do so.

I've been a member of Ferraichat for some time mainly as a lurker but have occasionally posted. I know that many members of this site are owners, and many come here due to their love of the Ferrari tradition. I know that there are many younger lurkers who dream that someday life will afford them the opportunity to be part of "the club".... not only because of their love for the marque but rather what the ownership represents. I'm not speaking in terms of snobbery or the "Hey look at me...I drive a Ferrari and you don't" attitude, but the idea that if one dedicates themself to their craft and makes hard work their priority, life will reward you and offer fruits for your labors.

I am 40 years old, have been married to the same woman since the age of 21 and have a beautiful daughter that is entering into her second year of college. You can do the math....yes I was very young when she came and quickly found myself juggling home duties in caring for her as well as trying to get through college and maintain a healthy marriage. In life you are constantly dodging bullets and given every reason to throw your cards on the table and just give up. My life was no different. Family illness and financial struggles made it impossible to finish school and get a degree so I applied and began attending the College of Hard Knocks. I dibbled and dabbled in different careers from stocking shelves, digging ditches, but I always did my best to self educate myself with the issues of the world with my eye on the ultimate prize that would someday manifest itself to me. I didn't know what, where, or how it would come...but I knew if I dedicated myself to a dream that someday I would at least be given an opportunity, I just had to keep my eyes open and recognize the opportunity when it came knocking at my door. I always remembers one thing, that without vision, opportunity could tap me on the shoulder and I would not be able to recognize it.

Eventually I was offered a job in the finance industry and in the early years was fairly successful. I felt at that point that maybe I had found my niche in life. Money was ok, my daughter was growing into somebody very special, then...in her mid-twenties my Wife was diagnosed with cancer. I won't go into great detail because I am sure many here have been affected by this terrible disease. Suddenly life had turned. My wife was undergoing treatment and was completely dependent on me for her needs...she could not even drive because of her negative reaction to the treatments. I worked 50 miles from my home and where my daughter attended school. So my days consisted of making my commute not once but twice a day to see that both were taken care of. As you can imagine my work suffered a great deal. There were times that I just wanted to give up...life was too much and there was no way out. Through prayer and dedication from a fantastic group of doctors my wife went into remission after 2 years of treatment. All of my other problems in life were small and no longer mattered because we had our health again. A year later my Mother.....who I was extremey close too, was diagnosed with untreatable cancer just as her and my Father were entering into retirement and dreaming of living there life on the lake. The dream house was designed and the lot was being cleared. 50 years of marriage and hard work was going to reward them..then on August 1, 2005 she was taken away. My world was devistated, my financial career was in shambles and without a degree I did not know where I was headed ...it was essentially the bottom for me.

After several months of wandering aimlessly, I decided it was time to make my own destiny because nobody was going to write it out and wrap it up in a pretty package and drop it at my doorstep. I had to suck it up and make life happen for myself and my family. One day while carrying out the office trash I bumped into a physician that occupied some administration space in our complex and made a point to introduce myself and make small talk. We discussed her practice...which turned out to be only one of many many practices she owned, and before long she began to open up to me. I could see on her face that the massive amount of responsibility had begun to take a toll on her and made a point to offer advise on delegation and creating a network support structure that would allow her organization to grow and operate more efficiently. Now imagine this.....I have no formal education and I'm standing here telling this woman how she should run her medical empire...I didn't know a syringe from a splint but here I am telling her how it should be done. One conversation led to another and soon she was coming to me for advise...and then.. BAM....A job offer. She asked me to be her Cinical Director for 2 of her practices. "U h yeah...I'll take it!"

After starting the job I caught wind of her and her operating partners plans for national expansion and parterships with various hospital systems and began offering advice to her on a personal level because I was concerned for her well being. By chance one morning...her main "vision guy" was unavailable and unable to attend a planned meeting. She had 45 minutes to get there to meet with her investors and needed her research material...which was nowhere to be found. So she grabbed me for moral support and said let's go. I had no idea where I was going, or who we were going to be talking to. When we walked in to this investment mega structure I could not believe what I was seeing. I has sitting with people...people who if I were to mention their names, some of you would know who they are. Intimidation does not begin to tell you what I was feeling. When the meeting came to order ...the Doctor had a major mental block and was speechless...so she pointed at me and said "John...lay out the vision"! WTF! HuHHHHHHH???????????????

Where my words came from... I have no idea...but they came...and long story short, the deal was sealed by the end of the meeting. After 2 months of employment I was moved from clinic director to VP and CEO as well as holding a seat on the board with an ownership stake. I felt as though I was handed a winning lottery ticket.

I kept my eyes open and when oppourtunity presented itself........ I had the vision to recognize it.

Those of you who frequent this message board and dream of someday being in a position where you could reward yourself.....never give up...NEVER. Work hard, dedicate yourself, respect your peers, and honor your elders. Keep your eyes open and maintain vision..so that when opportunity knocks You will be able to recognize it and grab hold.

After this occured I set my new list of priorities ..... make sure my families needs were met, then take my Dad shopping for a new bass boat so that he could enjoy his retirement in peace.

NOW...... its my turn. My life long dream of joining your club has finally become a possibility. I am in the market for my automotive love......no big secret..FERRARI. I hope to attend the Crecent Classic in Eureka Springs Arkansas this year in my new red mistress and share the passion that so many of you have had the opportunity to be a part of.

This message was not written to toot my horn.....it was to let people in here know that in this country ...anything is possible. Have a dream, plan that dream, enact that dream and spearhead it. Have no fear, be confident but not cocky. Maintain that vision and never , ever, ever give up! No matter what other people tell you. Surround yourself with positive individuals and learn from them. Learn from your mistakes...capitalize on your failures because they will turn into success.

God Bless.......and FORZA!!!

 

Thanks for all the kind words and well wishes. Unfortunately..... along with the promotion comes less time to post... I have to get my priorities straight and recommit myself to surfing this board

I'll try to find a moment.... or two..... or three to get on here and thank everybody who took the time to post. I love this place

Best,

John