It's the Economy Stupid

Uncle Bubba was talking to his older sister on the phone during Christmas. They were sharing the days events and Uncle Bubba mentioned how nice it was to be home after being away for so long.
"You need to find another job." She said.
That's the same thought that has been running through Bubbie's mind for the past couple of years. He replied that in one regard he likes his job, at least several aspects of it, which may be more than some people can say. However, it is hard to be away from home all he time; away from the people and places you love and getting harder all the time. He offhandedly mentioned that he was glad to have a job in this economy and if it would ever turn around, then maybe he could find a good job at home. That's when she said something that stuck in Bubbie's craw.
She said, "Ya know, I've been watching a lot of holiday movies and they are all in the setting of hard times. It doesn't matter if it's an old movie or not; and it got me thinking... has there ever been a time when we had a good economy? There was a short era after World War 2, but other than that has it ever been that great?" Uh... without doing any research, Bubba said… NO. At the very least there have been more hard times than good economic times for most of us. So why do we keep thinking that things might turn around? Why do we think that the rich and powerful are interested in improving circumstances to benefit our lives? In Bubbie's view, things are essentially the same as they've always been and you can sit and wait and wonder, or get off our collective asses and do something about it.

Uncle Dave

Uncle Bubba's Uncle Dave passed away today. He was the kindest, most generous man there ever was. It was rare to hear him say a cross word or hold a grudge about anybody or anything. He taught Bubbie and Sweet Pea to laugh at life and to treat each other good, with kindness. He loved the Lord and is in his arms tonight; in a peaceful, better place. It is an honor to have had known him and been a part of his life on earth. God bless Uncle Dave.

The Middle Of The Road

Uncle Bubba has been on the road for work and it's been another long trip: 50 days since he's seen home. The previous trip was 54 days long and it's all starting to take its toll. He's feeling more and more that he doesn't really live at home... imagine that. How could a body when they aren't actually there? Maybe luckily for him, Uncle Bubba is a little slow on the uptake so it takes time for things to sink in, but he's had almost all he can take from this job. Yet he attempts to find solace in the old fashioned notion of being a good provider and being thankful for actually having a job in this day and age. In this recent adventure, he is 1000 miles from home but in a part of the country that is just a few hours drive from where he was raised to be a man. In colonial times this would have been a long day's horse ride but today it's a straight shot up a major highway. He made the trip in early November and spent a delightful weekend in the old hometown. But so often this holiday season he has thought of the family and friends that live at the other end of that highway and wondered why none of them found a way to come to see him.  They knew that he was there day in and day out, night after night alone in his hotel room. He had pretty much convinced himself that it is because they really do not like him. And why not, actions speak louder than words; don't they? But then he came across a quotation by the essayist Edward Hoagland that states, "Country people do not behave as if they think life is short; they live on the principle that it is long, and savor variations of the kind best appreciated if most days are the same." It struck Uncle Bubba that he lives his life as if life is short. His world is big and he lives with the thought of not having regrets if the end comes tomorrow. It's his core philosophy, it's his lifestyle. He unintentionally left those folks at the end of the highway behind for that very reason and maybe they're holding a grudge because of it. But this quotation brought to mind a different perspective that he hadn't considered; these folk have their own core philosophies and lifestyles that they will not change for any reason. Aren't we always trying to get others to see our point of view without ever taking the time to consider theirs? In Bubbie's view there are a few people at the other end of that highway that he would like to try and meet in the middle of the road. For that, someone may have to realize that a highway runs two ways and to meet in the middle takes effort. In the end the parties that be should weigh the value of commonalities; to quote Mr. Hoagland, "...both try to cherish in their mind's eye the notion of a better life ahead."