Four different views of the world ...

    On Tuesday I had the opportunity to meet four  people I had never met before and while my interaction with them was job related, in each case what I took away from the meetings was a better understanding about people and what shapes their  view of the world. In part it is the result of their life experiences. That comes as no surprise, but the fact that their views differed so dramatically caught me a bit off guard, not that I believe  everyone sees the world exactly the same.

   (The names used in my blog are not their real names, but they  are very real people.)

   The day began with a meeting at a local college. The school is very environmentally 'in tune' and the survey that I am doing was of major interest to them. James was very cooperative and excited to participate.

   His message was clear. Unless we take the necessary steps to seek and implement new and in some cases not yet tested energy alternatives for the future, costs will continue to skyrocket and we will deplete much of what we currently use for energy sources.

   James believes it it not an issue of politics and if the government can help, that's great. It is not a Republican or Democrat issue. It involves all aspects of society and it is an issue that needs to be addressed now and in the future.

   He is extremely optimistic about the future and the work being done at the school and if the government can help, so be it.

   My next stop was what had once been a potato farm. The farm had seen better days and when I met Mahlon, I was not really sure what to expect. I had my preconceived expectations, just looking around. But as we walked and talked I was very surprised.

   As we walked through the building that had been one of his potato houses, now a work shop for his aged farm equipment, he was not an angry, old farmer but spoke about today’s young people and the hope for the future. He was someone, at least in my mind, who could have been very bitter, but I discovered that was not the case at all.

   About a quarter mile from the barn, Mahlon had taken several acres of his farm land and turned it into a softball field for the local high school. The school had not been able to complete the field near the school so he donated his time and his land and built a ball field for them.

   “I was never a good student in school,” he said, “and gave the teachers a pretty hard time. I finally did graduate and this is one way for me to thank them for their patience and perseverance to make sure I got out.”

   Mahlon's farm also served another purpose. Over the years, as some kids struggled with the academic side of schooling, they would often come down and work a bit on the farm, learning the importance of math and science and other related subjects in a much different type of school.

   Mahlon's commitment is not done yet. The school district recently received a land trust donation of a small farm next to the high school and Mahlon and several of his friends are helping to get the farm ready for the kids to use. One of the  projects will be to relocate an empty one room school house, on the other side of town, to the new site to become a classroom at the farm.

   “It's all about 'hands on' learning. It got me through school and maybe it will help some other kids too.”

   The third stop of the day set me back a bit. 
   I was looking for some information about a small church on a back country road and several in town suggested I speak with the person living in the house next to the church. While she may not have the information I needed, she might be able to direct me to those who did.

   Quickly I learned that I would receive no help from her. She believes that the government in Washington is nothing more than a bunch of liars and... "it was best that I leave now." I would get no information from her!

   What I discovered, as she continued to talk, however, was that her husband had been a soldier killed in Afghanistan several years before and that she still believes the people in Washington are lying to the American people about things that go on there and that she would  do nothing to help the country. My survey? “Just a way to collect more information to be used against us.”

   My final meeting of the day was with an 83 year old. Sarah is the president of a local historical society and director of the town's museum. Five minutes with her and it was impossible to not feel her joy for life. It was much different than what I had experienced just an hour before. Her passion...to provide a place where people can see and remember the past, through the pictures and displays on display at the museum.

   “I am 83 years old. Each day I am alive is a gift for me and if there is anything I can do to give back to my community, I will.” Her work at the historical society is one way she feels she can give back.

   Four very unique people with very differing views about life. Without a doubt, days like Tuesday helps keep life in perspective for me too.