“In times like these, it is helpful to remember that there have always been times like these.”
Paul Harvey
I was raised by people who lived through the Depression and the Dust Bowl. They never got over it, and neither did I. My dad never spent a penny he didn’t have to, which meant we got along without things that others considered necessities. Because of that, our family is still ranching. People respond to hardship in individual ways. Mom stocked up on everything, once she could afford to. I fall somewhere in the middle, but lean more to Dad’s view. Dave Ramsey’s financial advice is to give every dollar a name but Dad gave every penny a name. I know this because I have a notebook he used to keep account of spending, $1.10 for bolts, $3.59 for feed… Bruce laughs because I keep a ledger of accounts, besides a check register and the computer records, but sometimes the triple system enables me to find a mistake and balance the books.
Lately, I’m clinging to the words of a long gone neighbor. We were talking on a spring day that had blowing dust and dried up water holes. “It’ll rain,” she said. “It always has.” Yes, there have always been times like these, and we have always made it through. Tough times make tough people.
Branding season means a gathering of neighbors to help with the work. But some of us are getting on in years and there may be a shortage of young folks for the tough jobs, so not every ranch ropes and drags to the fire. Our home place still does, and my grandchildren of college age recruit a supply of husky and helpful young men and women to pitch in. Two future daughters in law provide a wonderful meal, and my son always takes a moment to thank everyone before we eat. He tells us not to believe anyone who says that the youth of today are soft. “You guys are doing fine, just keep on being hard workers and helpful people. The world is in good hands.” Hats are removed as one of my grandsons offers a blessing and then we all dig in.
My son’s right, I think. Upon reading the bios of local graduating classes, I notice that those young adults are not shy about acknowledging the help and support of their parents and teachers. Most have college and career plans, and they often mention that they hope to return to rural Nebraska to raise their families and contribute to their communities.
The media would have us believe that our nation is in dire straits, that the citizens are stupid and care only for pleasure. That our leaders are corrupt, and no one wants to work. Whether or not it’s true that Nero fiddled while Rome burned, not all people of that time were of the same mind. Shock value always gets publicity. As far back as Confucious, there were rumblings that the youth were useless, and wailings that society was doomed. Meanwhile, as always, the ones that really make a difference go about their day with humble diligence and ignore the fuss.
Believe it. The world is in good hands. We can help to assure that with faith and hard work, and by encouraging those who hold the future.