It finally culminated on March 30th. In those 10 years, right before going to school for my associates dregree, I moved from Los Angeles to Santa Ana. I started my journey at Santa Ana College, married my wife, bought a new car for the first time, flew on a plane for the first time from a new state (Idaho), traveled cross country from Santa Ana to Washington DC, studied through a pandemic, experienced the loss of close people due to COVID, earn my bachlers, earned my masters, hanging with friends and family while doing homework, the loss of my longest living pet cat, meeting new friends, and while working full time with new experiences in my career.
From high school graduate to post-uni graduate. Now board certified… While I did the work, thanks for every bit of encouragement from everyone who had an interest in my growth. Especially my wife, Marena, who still is my own personal cheerleader. My mom who acknowledged my struggles and reminded me to persist through them as she knew that it would be worth it in the end. My family and in-laws who watched do my homework (and work) when visiting them and understood what I needed to do to get ahead. In additon to celebrating each milestone I accomplished down the road.
Now I get to contiune what I have been doing all along, though with more responsiblity. Which is to help those who are the most vulnerable in our poplulation and at the same time our most admirable people who we can learn from.
Not here to toot my own horn, just writing thoughts down to reflect the last 10 years have come and gone so fast even though those school nights felt like forever at the time. From the projects to university to BCBA. A job found by a friend to a field I stumbled upon with no understanding to an expert based on a exam. I still have much to learn.
Time to pay back these student loans….
-Richard G.
Richard Garduno 
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