Well…it appears we all survived. Here in my part of the country…the coldest it got was -18 windchill…and yes that’s cold…brutally cold…but we seriously made it, just like I knew we would.
In 2000, we had an ice storm…many of us had no power…we had to do the garage doors by hand (it was an outrage) I stayed at my parents house:..we ate food on a hot plate, they had gas water heater so I still had hot baths. We had a kerosene heater and a fireplace. During the day, I went to work…charged my phone…took my curling iron in to work. None of us even thought to not come in…this went on for a week.
In 2007, we had another ice storm…lost power for five days…had to go stay with my brother n law. Kids missed school for one day….and then they went back…it was brutal for me because I had a nine month old…and it was Christmas time…but we all managed to make it.
In 2019….with absolutely no one where I live even losing power…we have turned a winter, into the history of the biggest whiners ever.
We live in the Midwest…not Florida. If we lived in Florida, I would understand the outrage. Here in the Midwest we have four seasons…and summer I hate most of all with its boiling temperatures…and trust me, I complain….but I feel we have now taken it to a new level.
When we actually start petitions, because our grown children are asked to go to school…I ask myself (hmmm….would I want these kids working for me? Or even their parents). Not ONE of my employees missed work or was even late…not ONE. I don’t know many businesses that closed…my mail lady still even showed up (I could have waited for my bills no worries). My UPS packages still arrived, banks were still open, grocery stores. Pretty sure the hospital didn’t close…but kids across our nation…were told that going to class was too big of a hardship. Instead, they spent the afternoon downtown…food places and bars were having specials…the same kids whose parents were fighting for their “right” to stay in the warmth…were out in it anyway…
I honestly don’t know who to be more upset with. So many say that they won’t hire millinials…but honestly, I’ve had just as bad of luck with women my age or older.
What kind of an example are we setting for our kids if when things go wrong…or not the way we want them, we demand them to change the rules. If my daughter didn’t make cheer, we whine…and now we won’t make the girls on the squads do splits or cartwheels, or difficult jumps…because it “excludes” others.
Are we for real? Why don’t we get rid of the olympics (my kid doesn’t have a gold medal…so why should yours😡😡😡) my kid doesn’t play NFL football, or professional baseball…or whatever you want to full in the blank with.
Why is it wrong to reach for excellence? Why do we have to apologize, if our kid gets a position they worked hard for…and others that don’t get it…fight back with how a kid looks, or why their kid was better suited for the position….instead of congrats…and MOVE on! Am I the only parent throwing participation ribbons away!?
Why is it wrong to teach our kids to work hard…to plan ahead, dress appropriately and plow through difficulties(like cold temperatures)? Why are we now bad parents who actually have their kids call doctors for themselves and hair cutters? To pay their bills, and wash their clothes. To drive crappy cars and pay for their cell phones. To learn how to make grill cheese with their irons (ask me, I’m a freaking expert). To learn how to eat ramen when there is nothing left to eat and microwave popcorn. To do without a soda and drink from a fountain (do they have those anymore) do they even know what suffering is??? Suffering isn’t not being able to have a Starbucks a day…or not being able to buy $300 pair of shoes…that’s your idea of suffering…you need to do some serious charity work.
I think we all need to drag ourselves away from the television…where the hating, and mass hysteria seem to be the only language they speak. Put our phones down, have real conversations. Quit interfering with our adult children’s lives…and let them figure it out.
I think this generation is stronger than we care to admit…if we could just learn to let go..and let them lead…we might just be surprised what they come up with!
The Reluctant Red Nose 