Making it work.

Making it work is such a funny statement when you think about it. We all have different struggles and things that seem so easy.

When I was young my parents didn’t really have very much of what we had today. Our home was about 1/3 the size we live in, no furnace, no indoor bath room, no video games, no TV, no van or new car and no fast food. Think of it no fast food, how did they do it with nine kids.

I think back and appreciate them more the more I think back. A garden, a old truck, a outhouse, a 1949 Chevy car, a horse, a dog, 3 pigs, 2 cows, 4 sheep, 2 sons and 3 daughters at home. My dad works where ever he could, which was in the cool mines or on a farm. We had 6.73 acres so we used the land to survive. Mom made most of our clothes and our food was mostly from the farm and home made. They got by with hard work and I think a knowledge that they were doing right by what they had.

You may think it was tough, but to me it wasn’t. I loved the outdoors and all that came with it. My dad and brothers loved to fish and hunt. I remember the start of deer season was a big event at our house. All came early and we packed the truck and headed up the mountain to pitch the tent and plan the hunt. It would usually snow one or two days in to the hunt and we would pack up put on the chains and go home. It was such an event we all loved and enjoyed. We got cold, walked for miles and carried deer for sometimes miles to get them back to camp to skin and hang from a tree. No task was or seemed too hard, we were with each other, on a common mission and we loved it. Most of fishing season was done on a lake by Clear Creek and in two streams within 1 mile of our home in Fairview. I would go after school and get home just before dark to eat and go to bed. What strikes me about this now, is how little time I spend out doors now and the way my kids and grandkids lives are.

I have to tell you I miss it and then again I don’t know if I could handle it at my age. I’ve got too used to this life.

I know your asking, what is the point? Well I guess it is we make it work and that is what makes us survive and find the joy and happiness that comes with this life. I know my parents worked hard and were very happy with their life. Their life was full and the values they had and have endure. The world today is different and maybe we have comforts they didn’t but it really isn’t better or worse just different.

What makes it work is the love we have for each other. Nothing is too hard if we hang together and make it work!

Dad