STUFF THAT WORKS
One of my favorite bluegrass classics is Stuff That Works, written by Guy Clark. “Stuff that works, stuff that holds up/The kind of stuff you don’t hang on the wall.”
Stuff That Works runs through my mind when I read and hear that Obama is a socialist (he’s not) and Rush Limbaugh is drug addict (he’s not). How does that help people in Douglas County where we have an unemployment rate that just went over 10 percent, with the latest job losses hitting women the hardest?
Stuff that works is what Karen and I are getting while she has a cast on her left leg and a boot on her right leg. Doctors reconstructed her left foot and corrected a congenital defect in her right. That surgical stuff should work eventually.
Stuff that worked was a neighbor who surprised us with hot clam chowder our first day home. She said, “You’re eating what I eat. I can’t stay, I’ve got to go home and spoon the rest into my husband’s bowl.”
One morning she brought coffee cake. Later, after I told her it was very good, she said, “I know. I ate the other half.”
She’s a true friend, but for seven years we have sharply disagreed on every political candidate except two.
People want to bring stuff, mostly food. Karen accepts saying, “Thanks you, but it’s not necessary.” She explains we have meals in the freezer and we are fine. Of course she appreciates their concern.
After one neighbor overcame her objections and accepted our invitation to share some wine, we shared our anxieties about the economic and personal challenges facing our children.
My response to an offer is, “Sure, that would be great.”
Why not admit I’m excited to see them? They want to share and visit. It’s our gift to them and us.
I invited in another neighbor with an at-the-door offer of a hot casserole. After being neighbors for seven years we learned she is struggling with a health problem. Bonds like that work.
Of course it’s important to call. Medication for a friend caused serious nausea with all food, except one Chinese meal. When friends asked if they could bring anything, she said, “Yes, Chinese food. Here is the number of the restaurant. Just tell them it’s for me and they’ll have it ready for you to pick up.”
That deep honesty reminds me of Clark’s lyrics: “I got a pretty good friend/Who’s seen me at my worst/ He can’t tell if I’m a blessing/Or a curse/But he always shows up/When the chips are down/That’s the kind of stuff/I like to be around.”
Stuff that works pulls people together, “Stuff that’s real, stuff you feel/The kind of stuff you reach for when you fall.”
Keep focusing on stuff that’s real and ignore political shouters who repeat harangues of name-calling and label throwing. Eventually they will get the message that is stuff that doesn’t work to bring people together.
Stuff That Works runs through my mind when I read and hear that Obama is a socialist (he’s not) and Rush Limbaugh is drug addict (he’s not). How does that help people in Douglas County where we have an unemployment rate that just went over 10 percent, with the latest job losses hitting women the hardest?
Stuff that works is what Karen and I are getting while she has a cast on her left leg and a boot on her right leg. Doctors reconstructed her left foot and corrected a congenital defect in her right. That surgical stuff should work eventually.
Stuff that worked was a neighbor who surprised us with hot clam chowder our first day home. She said, “You’re eating what I eat. I can’t stay, I’ve got to go home and spoon the rest into my husband’s bowl.”
One morning she brought coffee cake. Later, after I told her it was very good, she said, “I know. I ate the other half.”
She’s a true friend, but for seven years we have sharply disagreed on every political candidate except two.
People want to bring stuff, mostly food. Karen accepts saying, “Thanks you, but it’s not necessary.” She explains we have meals in the freezer and we are fine. Of course she appreciates their concern.
After one neighbor overcame her objections and accepted our invitation to share some wine, we shared our anxieties about the economic and personal challenges facing our children.
My response to an offer is, “Sure, that would be great.”
Why not admit I’m excited to see them? They want to share and visit. It’s our gift to them and us.
I invited in another neighbor with an at-the-door offer of a hot casserole. After being neighbors for seven years we learned she is struggling with a health problem. Bonds like that work.
Of course it’s important to call. Medication for a friend caused serious nausea with all food, except one Chinese meal. When friends asked if they could bring anything, she said, “Yes, Chinese food. Here is the number of the restaurant. Just tell them it’s for me and they’ll have it ready for you to pick up.”
That deep honesty reminds me of Clark’s lyrics: “I got a pretty good friend/Who’s seen me at my worst/ He can’t tell if I’m a blessing/Or a curse/But he always shows up/When the chips are down/That’s the kind of stuff/I like to be around.”
Stuff that works pulls people together, “Stuff that’s real, stuff you feel/The kind of stuff you reach for when you fall.”
Keep focusing on stuff that’s real and ignore political shouters who repeat harangues of name-calling and label throwing. Eventually they will get the message that is stuff that doesn’t work to bring people together.
Posted by JSR at 3/26/2009 3:59 AM 
Categories: Adventures in Retirement, Serving Others
Tags: political controversy; care giving; illness recovery
Categories: Adventures in Retirement, Serving Others
Tags: political controversy; care giving; illness recovery
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