Well, maybe not humor, but in good light.
Dad came to California at the tail end of the "Great Depression". My Grandfather was a woodsman by trade then, after Kansas fell apart, and took up clearing Eucalyptus trees in Southern California for a living. Their first year housing was a tent north of San Diego. I've looked over the photos (have no idea how they could of affored a camera), and the mind spins.
Fast forward many years, my father raised a family of 4 as a butcher, baker and candle stick maker. After his retirement from the Meat Cutters Union in the early 80's, he seemed to work 24 hours a day as a musician, furniture sales man, office design salesman, and even Amway distributor, proving for our family through every avenue available to him living in America. He made a lot of friends, and holds his name proud for what he's accomplished in life. At the age of 80, and still not being able to go through a day without work, he took employment with the local school district working a couple hours a day serving elementary age children their breakfast and lunches. To listen to the conditions and treatment the other workers put him through, and for a Korean Veteran to be serviing up free lunches to nearly all of the attending school age children, it about rips my heart out. But that's my dad, and he'll be the one to help dig the soil for his resting place when his time comes.
He still has mom, two years his senior, but her time is nearing. About 10 years ago they did something very untypical of them both, packed up all their belongings and went to Iowa to live with friends while searching for that special place. There was a beautiful two story home on 5 acreas they both felt would be perfect to live out their remaining years. Unfortunately, the home had a owner build elevator, and while touring the home with the real estate agent, mom riding with the agents kids up to the second story, the cable broke, down came mom and kids resulting in her foot badly damaged. Their Kaiser insurance didn't have a presence in Iowa, and no specialist was available near by, dad had her flown to Kansas city for treatment, where he slept for nearly 6 weeks in and around the hospital awaiting for her to receive proper care. In the end, the lock stock and barrel they packed to move was once again back in California.
Fast forward once again, mom is still having troubles with her foot as it was fused with metal bars to aid in healing. The past couple of visits seeking help to alleviate the pain from arthritis which continually sets in have amounted to quick diagnosis by the doctors that having it amputated was the best option. Maybe it is, but it's had to imagine mom missing a foot, it's hard to imagine the shock it must be to a still young in spirit South Georgia girl, that even near life's end, there must be more price to pay. Dad is there, right by her side.
Guess the shining light here is, in 1979, after many years of hard work and saving purchased a home atop a hill for 79 thousand dollars. They have made it their castle, and indeed, with the over look of the valley, it really is a good example of what the American dream use to be. Mom and Dad will always be a hard act to follow for any of us kids, or grand kids for that matter.
With that in mind, and the seeming constant desire throughout a working career to achieve always what is just above reach, have decided with the new wife that maybe a manufactured home might be our answer. Live within our means just as dad and mom always did. Heck, they make those things that look so close to a log cabin, it's hard to tell the difference. Find a spot with trees, other old farts, and a decent hospital close by, and I think we will have found what dad was steering us towards all his life.
Have a great weekend, and keep the crooks out of your TSP accounts!
