A Future in a Topsy Turvy Whacky World!

My son-in-law watches the stock market when he can because he used to be a day trader. Today there was a variance of over 1000 points! I don't personally know if that is a record or not, but it certainly caused a lot of tension to a lot of people. One man my husband works with has only $900.00 invested in an account, yet panicked when he checked it and found it only registered $600.00 at the moment. He thought he was headed for "no future." Perhaps he meant no finacial security in his future, but I can't see how the rise or fall of the stock market dictates whether or not I (or anyone else) have a future. I suppose, if by "future" I meant leisure or total comfort, then perhaps I would be concerned more than I am. I do have investments which are tied to the stock market, in my 403B. But, whether I can collect on that OR on Social Security still does not dictate my future.

I have seen many "futures" taken away suddenly by an unexpected illness or accident. In the course of one year, I saw 5 of my friends and another 2 acquaintances pass on into eternity suddenly. And only one of them was older than I.
I have seen "futures" become questionable due to addictions, the victims not knowing whether they shall escape or die. But the finacial woes of our nation, or the world, does not necessarily mean there is no bright future for us.

I may have to work well into my intended retirement years. Oh well. My grandpa ran a farm well into his 80's. And Grandma canned fruit and veggies they grew until just days before she went to Heaven.

I may have to live a little more down-sized than I planned. At least I did not lose it all to a bomb in a war-torn country. My younger daughter witnessed this in Croatia...wedding albums abandoned in bomb shelters, "collecibles" scattered throughout the bombed church yard...and much more. At least I do not live in terror that I shall be killed for my faith or for writing my thoughts on the Internet.

I may have to skip a meal here or there. At least I've had over 55 years of eating whenever and whatever I wanted. That is more than can be said by most of the World's "children." For many, living 55 years would be a miracle! And having even one meal per day consistently would be like living a dream.

I may have to work a little harder at growing some nutritional plants, risking blisters pulling out the weeds. Thank God I can still garden. I own land. Today.

I may have to walk, even if I am in pain, a little more to save gas. That makes me slow down and notice the world around me. And be thankful that, painfully or painfree, I still CAN walk! I have not lost my legs in battle on foreign soil. Nor on our own.

I may have to wear the same clothes more often. Grandma had just a few dresses and prized each one. I always thought she looked great and never noticed how few clothes she owned. I guess I thought she always wore "my" favorite dress just for me!

I may have to get much more creative about vacations. I have a large yard. I can pitch my tent at home! I can take a bus to a museum, or a park. A vacation is for resting and refreshing. Traveling, while I enjoy it, can be taxing and troublesome. How many delays have I endured on freeways due to accidents, or construction? How many anxious phone calls have I made, assuring my family I was on the road...in a jam. I am fortunate enough to have most of my family here locally.

I miss Mr. Boo and my daughter and son-in-law that live in California. I miss seeing my sister more frequently. But, in a world with email, cell phones, and webcams, how can I say I am apart from them? I know a hug can't be felt via electronics, but love has managed to express itself across the miles for decades. I think sometimes it is ourselves from whom we are disconnected. If we can imagine; if we can believe; if we can dream; if we can breathe, we will be okay. And with God, ALL things are possible...even a recovering economy and a bright future!

And, with God, there is ALWAYS a future...if we believe!