by John Mckinsey

Created on: June 06, 2009

Caleb stood there in line, waiting for the tellers to help the customers in front of him. He couldn't help but smile. He slowly stepped forward as the line moved. His eyes were glued to the check in his hand. He firmly held the check, on hand gripped on each side. His scanned every line of the check compulsively to verify it's accuracy. Infinity Insurance clearly written in the upper left hand side, Pay to the order of The Law Office of Caleb McGee was written across the center of the check. And he counted the zeros twice $1,000,000. He laughed quietly as he recalled the tragedy that had forced him out of his comfortable $50,000 job as a warehouse manager. Little did he know that the economic downturn that had cost him his job would eventually pay back many times over.

After high school, after the graduation parties and summer long goodbyes to his friends Caleb had been left behind. At least that's how it felt. He had not thought about his life long goals and dreams. Not beyond the typical high schooler's daydream of driving a Ferrari or living it up on a beach house. With no real dreams, there were no incentives or short term goals to hit and consequently he had achieved mediocre grades and participated in few events and sports. College was not a viable option and without a major it would have been a waste anyway. After lounging around the entire summer, August came with an ultimatum: His parents gave him two options: get a job or go to college.

Caleb chose the job option, at least he would have some pocket money. He applied at about a dozen places over the course of two weeks and finally he received a call from a warehouse he had applied to. He went in, interviewed and got the job. At first it was seemed as though it wasn't worth it; working forty hours a week at minimum wage. For the time being though, he made enough to pay for his gas, phone and insurance. That's all his parents made him pay. He still lived there for free, free food, and of course he had his parent's old Toyota.

After a year of this, after growing pressure from his parents, Caleb decided to move out. The decision brought forth a new perspective. He suddenly realized he needed to make more money. After several years though, he had reached a point at which he was very satisfied with his life. He had developed a very strict work ethic that helped rise o the position of warehouse manager. He had purchased his own house, although it took all of his savings, he felt it was

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