We, too, are getting ready to run when we retire, to follow our daughter and her family. I love reading your posts Deb. You were such a blessing to our family when you did a photo shoot for us. Those are still some of my most cherished pictures.
Tamara! thank you so much for reading and for leaving me a comment! I can't believe how long ago that was. You are so kind to say that. I'm glad you still cherish those photos and I do wish you well as you change course and run to be with your family. God keep you on the journey as you get ready. Happy Easter to you all. oxox
Hi Deb. Well, we missionaries have never been known for our high salaries, and I must admit (as a man and head of household) many times being frustrated as we scrounge and scrape and at times (like the lady you wrote about) having to do without. But then I remember, by God’s grace, that as God’s children and ambassadors we are called to a higher purpose and He always supplies our needs, if not our wants at times. Thanks for yet again another profound soul searching moment. We covet your prayers.❤️🙏
Dear Ned, oh yes, the missionary who goes out into the world wherever he/she is called throwing deeply your faith into the mission at hand. His grace is boundless as you live through so many challenges and hardships, witnessing as many. You are in a category all God's own and I can't tell you how much I appreciate the purpose and calling that you and your family are living. Thank you. You are always in my prayers. Sending you much love. Happy Easter to you all! He is indeed risen :) ox
Part of the stuckness for people is the feeling that applying to jobs now feels like jobs only want a specific skill set and that you can’t approach people.
Apply online… and never see a face.
Fill out a form, and fill another with information already in a resume. Try to make a resume pop for a machine and a human. Find keywords to game the system.
Rejection is tough but currently jobs feel more like shunning. No contact and no talking. I don’t know how to fix it but I do know it’s demoralizing.
I 100% agree in the summary of 20 or more things/reasons that this is happening! The system sucks and it's setup to fail people. I remember MANY years ago I thought, "maybe I should get a job at the local Kohls over Christmas to earn a little extra cash" and it was a TOTAL NIGHTMARE. It's everything you described and I can distinctly remember telling my husband, our kids are doomed. I taught them to look people in the eye, shake a hand, etc. and they will not get to do this. All three worked very hard to get the jobs they have and all three are deeply passionate in their work. We are small business owners. I can tell you that there are a lot of us in this country, much bigger than us, that don't operate the corporate way. We want to meet people. There are opportunities out there and this is a country where we can still dream and have our own business too. It's the riskiest gamble you can take and it's hard as hell, you still live with less, sacrifice, but you can add more value, like a home without roommates and maybe a partner, etc. - but in the end there are places and people in this vast land that we can run to.
As I type this, I see our system, a plethora of systems to nowhere, and then I see the horrific journeys by boat, like the 17 year old Irish girl, where she arrived with corpses on the boat and many thrown out to sea on the journey. Guess what I am saying is never give up. My dad brought us here to America with $2k saved up. No job and a six month visa.
I really appreciate your comment and I am heartbroken over it all. We are so easily broken, susceptible to depression and more (I have been there deeply) and I understand it. But life. I want so much for us to seek the one life we have while we still have it. I am rooting for you.
That photo is brilliant. It really shows the madness and and terror of the world we live in now, the rule by upgrades and apps, all of the things that were supposed to make our lives easier but are now dictating our choices. Run: yes. While you can. Loved the Allison Krauss/Sting duet, with the heartbreaking images. Thank you for this moving piece.
Oh goodness, thank you Mary! That really means a lot. It feels mad indeed. Crazy in fact. I get so tired of feeling aged out! I know you relate! Run! Or like my dad used to say (oh no, another ism) "I don't care, I'll crawl" (in reference to his bad knees. I'm there. Face slap.) One of my mom's friends, (85ish) said, when dad told her he'd help with a new smart tv, "I don't want smart. I want stupid. I want to go to the library and plug my VHS rentals in and watch a movie." Very cockney accent as well :) Have no idea where that library is.
That duet, that movie. Really gets me. It's been a cry day. Thank you again so much for this. oxox
I hope that young woman and any folks who find themselves in a similar spot will find the resources and courage to move to greener pastures and find some relief from their trials. And I love your photo! How cool!
I think about it a lot. It breaks my heart. So many have college degrees and debt as well and what can they do? Run!! Greener pastures exist in terms of cost of living, although it's felt just about everywhere - but compared to any big city right now - it's time to reevaluate if you want the hope of a relationship (without roommates?) a little home, a child?
I will never forget traveling home from NYC with a young woman, who happened to work in corporate for FujiFilm :) I had just moved our youngest into his dorm for Sophomore year. She said she wanted to get married and have a child someday. She had a fiancee' but they had to move to CT if they wanted to be married and have something to call their own. Like so many young people living in a big city, it was the only way to grow forward. That was back in 2014? when city living was still high... but now? no way. It's so common but I feel there's a lot of stuckness. Thank you for reading Jenn and thank you for the compliment on the image! Hope you're still feeling well and the family is healing! oxox
Wow, that’s crazy. I hope the woman you met while traveling was able to get out of the city and start a family. That’s mind blowing that people have to make that sort of choice if they want a shot at married/family life.
Oh my goodness, the young do not deserve this over-inflated over-commercialized world. The old don’t either come to think of it. Yes, she (they all) need to run. And run fast. I moved three times in my 62 years, all because I wasn't getting what I needed out of life. Was it easy? No. But the alternative was worse.
I love Allison Kraus and Sting. A gorgeous song and a heartbreak of a movie. Thanks, I forgot how good that is. My throat got thick with emotion as I watched and listened.
no they don't deserve it at all. I do know that we are all living in that type of history and it's definitely repeated over and over. If only the socials weren't where they ran. I feel it prevents real, gritty growth. I understand it, as it's a different world and it's all they know. The old definitely don't deserve it. My mom is almost 88 and going blind (my lovely English gardening mom, that writes and reads cannot do these things now) - and the healthcare stuff, the apps stuff is insanity. Thank God for my brother being there for her - but that's more rare for our elderly. I ran too. I remember borrowing (the only time I ever did) $500 dollars to get out of something hard and ran for my life. I think I'll have to write about it sometime as I rarely speak of it.
We love Allison Kraus too and Sting! It's weird but I was writing as this song came on and reminded me of the movie and I was talking about our ancestors, etc. Sometimes it's like that. That song, those scenes, really get me emotional too. Guess it's been a crying day! Good for the soul at times! Thank you for reading! I so appreciate it :) oxox
"If only the socials weren't where they ran." Nailed it! I'm sorry about your mom's eyesight, but I'm glad you have her. I was an adult orphan (an awkward phrase but useful) at thirty-eight, waaaay too soon. I'd like to know where that $500 took you, yes, you shou;d writer about it. The stuff that scares us the most is the best writing. How wonderful it is we met down a rabbit hole. M xo
Get Up and Run! Yeah I did that. Luckily I am strong, Because moving Thousands of miles away from EVERYTHING you know is hard, at first you think what have I done But if you are strong enough you Can Make it. I grew up in Mississippi where life is slower but Jobs don't pay much but it keeps the cost of living low. In Nov 2015 I moved to North Carolina where My paralegal degree is useless and started over in Life, in Work And New household things (twice) long story. However, after Almost 9 years I have a life that is not perfect, (but ok), Stronger Faith, a job I love, and decent material things, (definitely better than ever before). I have friends who love me and watch out for me. I left a lot in Mississippi. Those Friends and Family Is further now than before, Denison, Texas is about 18 hours away, and My home town of Vicksburg is almost 13 hours away. But Thank Goodness Cell phones allow you to call Long distance for almost free. I would and have told people that it is the hardest thing you can do but It can be so worth it. I have paid over 1000 in rent in the urban areas to 400 for a trailer in the country. You have to look and adjust but it can do done. I have never (Thank You Lord!) been Homeless or living in my car, I did leave a bad Narcissistic situation, during Covid and stayed in a Hotel for a few weeks until I could find something less horrific. I have finally landed where I get Love and Fellowship, And I am truly Thankful. And I have done it on My own, with God's Help and Guidance.
I Love you, my friend. You have again done a great job of encouraging others to make a situation better even if you have to leave it and run away. People used to jokingly say (myself included) "I want to run away" But it is easier to say than do. But the blessings are worth it, In my case anyway. oxoxox
I've been thinking of you over the weekend and praying you were doing good. We had Miss Vi's 3rd birthday party! Oh boy. She slayed it! lol.
I want you to know how proud I am of you and how grateful I am to have met you. He knows the people we need in our life. After reading through this you are an amazing example of what it means to run and survive the best you can with what you have, even if it meant giving up being close to family and friends. You didn't allow yourself to be stuck. I am grateful you have made a community of friends/family that loves you and watches out for you. God is a good God and none of this was easy because it's not easy. Hard things are expected of us so that we can deeply grow forward. Fear stunts us from deep growth. We have to run right. Not away from hard things.
Love you too and I will be checking in over on FB when my finger rest (lol - don't laugh).
Sometimes we don't need more arrows, just sharper ones and better aim.
So true! I love this saying! Thank you so much for reading :).
So true! I love this saying! Thank you so much for reading :).
We, too, are getting ready to run when we retire, to follow our daughter and her family. I love reading your posts Deb. You were such a blessing to our family when you did a photo shoot for us. Those are still some of my most cherished pictures.
Tamara! thank you so much for reading and for leaving me a comment! I can't believe how long ago that was. You are so kind to say that. I'm glad you still cherish those photos and I do wish you well as you change course and run to be with your family. God keep you on the journey as you get ready. Happy Easter to you all. oxox
Hi Deb. Well, we missionaries have never been known for our high salaries, and I must admit (as a man and head of household) many times being frustrated as we scrounge and scrape and at times (like the lady you wrote about) having to do without. But then I remember, by God’s grace, that as God’s children and ambassadors we are called to a higher purpose and He always supplies our needs, if not our wants at times. Thanks for yet again another profound soul searching moment. We covet your prayers.❤️🙏
Dear Ned, oh yes, the missionary who goes out into the world wherever he/she is called throwing deeply your faith into the mission at hand. His grace is boundless as you live through so many challenges and hardships, witnessing as many. You are in a category all God's own and I can't tell you how much I appreciate the purpose and calling that you and your family are living. Thank you. You are always in my prayers. Sending you much love. Happy Easter to you all! He is indeed risen :) ox
Left or right at Oak Street, it’s a choice we make everyday. I don’t know which takes more courage, the staying or the running away. — Roy Clark
I heard that about 50 years ago and it has stuck with me. Glad you liked it.
Charles! I love this :) You are so right. What a great lyric! Thank you for commenting!
Part of the stuckness for people is the feeling that applying to jobs now feels like jobs only want a specific skill set and that you can’t approach people.
Apply online… and never see a face.
Fill out a form, and fill another with information already in a resume. Try to make a resume pop for a machine and a human. Find keywords to game the system.
Rejection is tough but currently jobs feel more like shunning. No contact and no talking. I don’t know how to fix it but I do know it’s demoralizing.
Mike,
I 100% agree in the summary of 20 or more things/reasons that this is happening! The system sucks and it's setup to fail people. I remember MANY years ago I thought, "maybe I should get a job at the local Kohls over Christmas to earn a little extra cash" and it was a TOTAL NIGHTMARE. It's everything you described and I can distinctly remember telling my husband, our kids are doomed. I taught them to look people in the eye, shake a hand, etc. and they will not get to do this. All three worked very hard to get the jobs they have and all three are deeply passionate in their work. We are small business owners. I can tell you that there are a lot of us in this country, much bigger than us, that don't operate the corporate way. We want to meet people. There are opportunities out there and this is a country where we can still dream and have our own business too. It's the riskiest gamble you can take and it's hard as hell, you still live with less, sacrifice, but you can add more value, like a home without roommates and maybe a partner, etc. - but in the end there are places and people in this vast land that we can run to.
As I type this, I see our system, a plethora of systems to nowhere, and then I see the horrific journeys by boat, like the 17 year old Irish girl, where she arrived with corpses on the boat and many thrown out to sea on the journey. Guess what I am saying is never give up. My dad brought us here to America with $2k saved up. No job and a six month visa.
I really appreciate your comment and I am heartbroken over it all. We are so easily broken, susceptible to depression and more (I have been there deeply) and I understand it. But life. I want so much for us to seek the one life we have while we still have it. I am rooting for you.
That photo is brilliant. It really shows the madness and and terror of the world we live in now, the rule by upgrades and apps, all of the things that were supposed to make our lives easier but are now dictating our choices. Run: yes. While you can. Loved the Allison Krauss/Sting duet, with the heartbreaking images. Thank you for this moving piece.
Oh goodness, thank you Mary! That really means a lot. It feels mad indeed. Crazy in fact. I get so tired of feeling aged out! I know you relate! Run! Or like my dad used to say (oh no, another ism) "I don't care, I'll crawl" (in reference to his bad knees. I'm there. Face slap.) One of my mom's friends, (85ish) said, when dad told her he'd help with a new smart tv, "I don't want smart. I want stupid. I want to go to the library and plug my VHS rentals in and watch a movie." Very cockney accent as well :) Have no idea where that library is.
That duet, that movie. Really gets me. It's been a cry day. Thank you again so much for this. oxox
I hope that young woman and any folks who find themselves in a similar spot will find the resources and courage to move to greener pastures and find some relief from their trials. And I love your photo! How cool!
Dear Jenn,
I think about it a lot. It breaks my heart. So many have college degrees and debt as well and what can they do? Run!! Greener pastures exist in terms of cost of living, although it's felt just about everywhere - but compared to any big city right now - it's time to reevaluate if you want the hope of a relationship (without roommates?) a little home, a child?
I will never forget traveling home from NYC with a young woman, who happened to work in corporate for FujiFilm :) I had just moved our youngest into his dorm for Sophomore year. She said she wanted to get married and have a child someday. She had a fiancee' but they had to move to CT if they wanted to be married and have something to call their own. Like so many young people living in a big city, it was the only way to grow forward. That was back in 2014? when city living was still high... but now? no way. It's so common but I feel there's a lot of stuckness. Thank you for reading Jenn and thank you for the compliment on the image! Hope you're still feeling well and the family is healing! oxox
Wow, that’s crazy. I hope the woman you met while traveling was able to get out of the city and start a family. That’s mind blowing that people have to make that sort of choice if they want a shot at married/family life.
Oh my goodness, the young do not deserve this over-inflated over-commercialized world. The old don’t either come to think of it. Yes, she (they all) need to run. And run fast. I moved three times in my 62 years, all because I wasn't getting what I needed out of life. Was it easy? No. But the alternative was worse.
I love Allison Kraus and Sting. A gorgeous song and a heartbreak of a movie. Thanks, I forgot how good that is. My throat got thick with emotion as I watched and listened.
Maureen, Right?
no they don't deserve it at all. I do know that we are all living in that type of history and it's definitely repeated over and over. If only the socials weren't where they ran. I feel it prevents real, gritty growth. I understand it, as it's a different world and it's all they know. The old definitely don't deserve it. My mom is almost 88 and going blind (my lovely English gardening mom, that writes and reads cannot do these things now) - and the healthcare stuff, the apps stuff is insanity. Thank God for my brother being there for her - but that's more rare for our elderly. I ran too. I remember borrowing (the only time I ever did) $500 dollars to get out of something hard and ran for my life. I think I'll have to write about it sometime as I rarely speak of it.
We love Allison Kraus too and Sting! It's weird but I was writing as this song came on and reminded me of the movie and I was talking about our ancestors, etc. Sometimes it's like that. That song, those scenes, really get me emotional too. Guess it's been a crying day! Good for the soul at times! Thank you for reading! I so appreciate it :) oxox
"If only the socials weren't where they ran." Nailed it! I'm sorry about your mom's eyesight, but I'm glad you have her. I was an adult orphan (an awkward phrase but useful) at thirty-eight, waaaay too soon. I'd like to know where that $500 took you, yes, you shou;d writer about it. The stuff that scares us the most is the best writing. How wonderful it is we met down a rabbit hole. M xo
Get Up and Run! Yeah I did that. Luckily I am strong, Because moving Thousands of miles away from EVERYTHING you know is hard, at first you think what have I done But if you are strong enough you Can Make it. I grew up in Mississippi where life is slower but Jobs don't pay much but it keeps the cost of living low. In Nov 2015 I moved to North Carolina where My paralegal degree is useless and started over in Life, in Work And New household things (twice) long story. However, after Almost 9 years I have a life that is not perfect, (but ok), Stronger Faith, a job I love, and decent material things, (definitely better than ever before). I have friends who love me and watch out for me. I left a lot in Mississippi. Those Friends and Family Is further now than before, Denison, Texas is about 18 hours away, and My home town of Vicksburg is almost 13 hours away. But Thank Goodness Cell phones allow you to call Long distance for almost free. I would and have told people that it is the hardest thing you can do but It can be so worth it. I have paid over 1000 in rent in the urban areas to 400 for a trailer in the country. You have to look and adjust but it can do done. I have never (Thank You Lord!) been Homeless or living in my car, I did leave a bad Narcissistic situation, during Covid and stayed in a Hotel for a few weeks until I could find something less horrific. I have finally landed where I get Love and Fellowship, And I am truly Thankful. And I have done it on My own, with God's Help and Guidance.
I Love you, my friend. You have again done a great job of encouraging others to make a situation better even if you have to leave it and run away. People used to jokingly say (myself included) "I want to run away" But it is easier to say than do. But the blessings are worth it, In my case anyway. oxoxox
Linda,
I've been thinking of you over the weekend and praying you were doing good. We had Miss Vi's 3rd birthday party! Oh boy. She slayed it! lol.
I want you to know how proud I am of you and how grateful I am to have met you. He knows the people we need in our life. After reading through this you are an amazing example of what it means to run and survive the best you can with what you have, even if it meant giving up being close to family and friends. You didn't allow yourself to be stuck. I am grateful you have made a community of friends/family that loves you and watches out for you. God is a good God and none of this was easy because it's not easy. Hard things are expected of us so that we can deeply grow forward. Fear stunts us from deep growth. We have to run right. Not away from hard things.
Love you too and I will be checking in over on FB when my finger rest (lol - don't laugh).
oxoxox