The Way Things Are

In more than eight decades of my life, I have experienced many down turns as well as positives enough to fill many essays and dreams.  If there is anything I have learned over time, nothing lasts forever.  In a flick of an eye, situations – good as well as bad – will change, and normalcy will reclaim our lives, and we will survive and be better for it.

Trying to compare our recent year of the covid 19 virus with past experiences can be difficult.  The year 2020 has few comparisons unless you go back to 1917 and the Spanish Virus.  Obviously, there are very few people who remember those dreadful days.  In the over one hundred years since then, there have been many times when we have faced difficult disease outbreaks, and even wars, yet we have survived and found means to overcome adversity.  The American Spirit  prevails in the darkest of days.  Our faith and country go hand in hand meeting the challenges and brushing aside negatives that try to lead astray.

The only comparison that I feel is realistic in my family goes back to the early and darkest days of early World War II.  Families were split apart with fathers, brothers and other relatives being shipped far away; the print mediums and radio broadcasts highlighted negative news from various fronts, rationing of essentials such as gasoline and rubber prevented people  traveling to visit family and friends.  Mom found her pantry shelves void of the sugar and spices -  many of the essentials necessary to bake the many holiday surprises we were fond of enjoying. 

I remember how my sister and I felt as young children.  Would there ever be another other Christmas like the ones we remembered from our limited past?  We were separated from family and friends, even though our parents were tying hard to convince us that Santa Claus would still find us even hundreds of miles from our normal home.  It compared to this year in many ways, and yet, we felt blessed that we were still free and able to communicate our lives and loves to those who meant so much to us.

Today, we are more fortunate to have many means of communicating instantly to those who are separated from us. With modern conveniences such as computers  and cell phones,  even though we may be apart, we  come together instantly from any part of the country or world.  In many cases photos are transmitted just as quickly as voice messages.  We are being held together even though we are apart.
Yes, today is challenging, yet we know and believe we will overcome all that we are facing.  It is in our minds and hearts to be strong and stay the course to a brighter more fulfilling future.

                                      Another day…we’re moving on… 
                     To address the challenges…others have come and gone.
                                   We’ve adjusted to wearing a mask,
                       Though it is made more difficult to complete a task.
                                A burger and fries from a local drive thru,
                            Have replaced group gatherings we once knew.
                                Family and friends stay a distance apart,
                            When a nice hug and kiss would heal a heart.
                                 Not having togetherness can be lonely,
                                 But let’s not be caught saying…”if only.”
                        Let’s reach out to those we know…many or few,
                            With a call or note or even an e-mail will do.
                                         Move on in positive ways,
                                  To make these the best of our days.

            A very Merry Christmas and a much Happier New Year 2021

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This article was written by Norm Wilkens

Norm Wilkens is a nationally recognized speaker and writer, Norman Wilkens has traveled to forty-seven of the fifty states speaking on topics of marketing, advertising and public relations. His most noteworthy subjects include: Healthcare Marketing; Multi-generational travel and  Baby Boomers - their contribution to society and economics. He is presently serving as Midwestern Contributor to California’s AAA WESTWAYS Magazine.

Among Wilkens’ current activities are the Butler University Alumni Board of Directors; Butler’s Central Indiana Alumni Chapter Board; Chairman of the Board of Visitors for the new Communication College of Butler; Board of Directors of Ruth Lilly Educational Foundation; Salvation Army of Indiana Advisory Board and as an Elder at Second Presbyterian Church of Indiana.