One of my uncles was pulled from school in 3rd grade to help support the family. Ten kids and a sick mom.
In the early 50’s he got married and went to work at a paper mill.
After a few years on the job the company updated their machinery, putting modern (at the time) gauges and controls.
He told his supervisor that he couldn’t read and couldn’t figure out the controls. They told him to learn or leave.
His wife worked with him every night starting with first grade level books. He learned to read.
He retired from that same company thirty years later.
I feel sorry for people who cut and run when things don’t go their way or they have to change.
They never know the power of overcoming an undesirable situation.
These guys get a sense of entitlement and think they are God’s gift to their employer. Unfortunately for them, they are the only ones with that opinion.
In the case of the BIL, they were going to PAY HIM while he learned. Almost nobody trains employees anymore. But, instead of grabbing this opportunity, he sticks his nose in the air, picks up his ball, and marches home. What he doesn’t realize is that at his age, this may very well have been his last time at bat.
And this guy thinks he and his ilk are entitled to run the world.
your story is a sad one, and reminds me of singer Sammy Kershaw.
His dad died when Sammy was 11 and he was forced to provide for his family.
So, except for a short stint as manager of renovations for Home Depot, he performed.