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He was a gruff old man with a heart of gold. I remember his skin was leathery – a characteristic common to those who spend a lot of time in the Southwestern sun. He never said much and he didn’t sit around much, either.

Jack had an acre of land in Albuquerque that he’d bought when land was cheap and developed through the years, hauling in rich mountain soil and enriching it with his own compost. Each year he planted a garden and carefully tended his crops making sure that they had sufficient water from his well and irrigation from the nearby Rio Grande. Each year he raised enough fruits and vegetables to feed a proverbial army. Everyone knew where the best tomatoes, corn, chili and strawberries could be found. Neighbors all knew that when times were tough they could count on Jack to share the fruits of his labor freely. And those he helped gave back in proportion to their ability. For more than forty years Jack did what he could to make his corner of Albuquerque a better place to live.

That garden is now long gone.  Jack died some time back and the land was sold to a developer who poured concrete over that fertile land to make room for new construction.  The precious little rain that falls today drains off that concrete slab and into the street.  

Such is progress.

But more important than that garden was Jack’s wisdom, which lives on. Jack wasn’t one to tell anyone what to do. You didn’t have to ask him, "what can I do?" He didn’t much tolerate anyone standing around complaining. And he didn’t stand there waiting for you to get started. His response was always the same. "Do something…Even if it’s wrong." 

Jack had lived through the great depression and through several subsequent recessions that hit this country since. Even in the worst of times, he knew that with a little effort and TLC he, and those he knew, would be just fine… But the lesson he taught in his own quiet way was: You’ve got to do your part. You may not know everything. You may have physical limitations. You may not have all the resources you would like to have. But that doesn’t matter if you’re willing to do something – anything – for yourself and others. 

Jack believed in inclusion – not exclusion. Everyone had a value. Everyone, he believed, had something to offer – and it didn’t have to be money. He believed that everyone had the potential to participate in life.

I don’t have to ask what his response would be to those who have been pushed aside because "you’re too old" or "you aren’t fast enough" or "you don’t have enough money". I don’t have to ask him what it would take to get the economy out of it’s current mess. Do you?

Welp, I’ve done it….I’ve outlived my mom and dad. I’ve almost reached the age of full retirement — unless Social Security pushes it back yet again. (No matter how fast I grow they seem to stay just a step ahead of me. <grin>)

With my 65th behind me now, I can look forward to another 30 some odd years of productive life if my grandparents are any indication of my life expectancy. Thirty years to learn and grow and contribute to the betterment of my corner of the world… What a delightful thought!

Now that I’ve arrived, I can tell you there still isn’t enough time to tackle all the projects I had to put off while I was working and raising my young’uns. Those projects still sit,  waiting and taunting me to get started. They take a back seat to more pressing activities, like learning a new language and a new software and finding new opportunities to use the skills I’ve spent a lifetime developing. 

Why am I rambling on so? Because I want to talk straight to the hearts of seniors everywhere.

If you’re a senior facing challenges finding appropriate work or making ends meet, it’s not you. There are way too many people out of work. right now. And, there are countless others with degrees and years of professional experience bagging groceries and doing janitorial work – counting themselves lucky to have a way to subsist on minimum wage. And, Social Security with it’s built-in restrictions is designed to keep you in a financial bind. But, even with your specific challenges, remember that today people of all ages are scrambling.

The economy sucks and this whole concept that once you’ve reached a certain age it’s time for you to vegetate is a crock. You’re in a unique position. You’ve spent a lifetime working to be the best you could be. You’ve honed your unique skills and have been around long enough to have discovered what works and what doesn’t. You have a lot to contribute. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.  

Be a little patient with those who haven’t arrived yet. It’s going to be awhile before they catch up with you. Focus on continuing your self education and refining your skills. If you do need to take a subsistence job, do it and consider it a valuable part of your continuing education. You’ll be amazed how much you will learn about human nature and today’s business practices. And, while you’re at it, allow yourself the luxury to do whatever it is that pleases you most. Whatever you do, don’t allow yourself to be one of those people who equates your value with the work you do or how much you earn.

If you’ve arrived, like I have, let’s celebrate. And, if you haven’t yet….well, you can’t even imagine what lies ahead. You’re just going to have to wait your turn.

When you have a bucket of lemons…make lemonade…and lemon chiffon pie…and lemon ice.

Yes, yes, I know. We’re bombarded with all kinds of tragic news at home and abroad. It’s so bad now that we’re told most Americans have pretty much shut down. We’re in a holding pattern – waiting for things to improve. It’s true. Times are tough. And it looks like we’re going to be dealing with this for a while yet. With uncertainty on every front, worry about how we’re going to feed our families today and pay tomorrow’s bills, it’s certainly enough to make us want to go back to bed, cover up our heads and play Rip van Winkle.

But, that won’t get us very far. The question now is: What are the alternatives?

Perhaps we can begin with the conviction that: If it’s to be, it’s up to me.

Each one of us can make make a difference – even if all the powers-that-be say we can’t.

Looking for a way to weather the economic storms? Every one of us can do something that will impact one small corner of the world.  Brian Williams on MSNBC’s Nightly News is one of my favorite sources of inspiration. Don’t stop at the top story of the day. Scroll down a bit and you’ll find segments where Brian reports on positive things that real people – people like you and me – are doing to make life just a little bit better in their own communities. They’re building community gardens…making backpacks for hungry children…supporting their local businesses…giving back…paying ahead…looking for holes in the market and filling them.

If we open our eyes, we can see all around us, individuals who are doing whatever they can to help themselves and others. Small businesses are cropping up and beginning to thrive. Not all of them are available on the internet but DLG Furniture Services Inc. is a good example of the kinds of solutions we find right here in our own neighborhoods. Instead of bellyaching, this business is helping people save money and reclaim damaged and worn furniture that would otherwise gather dust or wind up in a landfill. The owner is making life just a little bit more pleasant and comfortable than it might otherwise be . We have another small business, The Green Art has a team of workers who plow snow, do spring yard clean up, landscaping, planting, and more. Our local condominium has implemented a program to hire individuals to handle small projects like watering the grass and pulling weeds. We’re not wealthy but the plan is to help those in need stay active and feel productive. No one will get rich from this project. The pay is nominal. But it’s an effort to help those who would otherwise be expected to volunteer time and services only to walk away empty handed. The program is designed to encourage our people to take pride in their work while instilling pride of ownership and a sense of well-being to all who enjoy the fruits of their labor.

What can be done? Hire a senior, give youngsters a chance to contribute to the betterment of their neighborhood, look for holes in the market – all the things that have been left undone. Don’t throw those lemons out – find ways to enjoy them… then, celebrate with a party.