The good luck I’ve had … the list could go on

My premise is that almost all of us have had good luck in our lives.

Some folks attribute their success, primarily, to their own effort, intelligence and perseverance. No doubt about the value of those attributes, but most all successful people have had good luck as well.

We, all have the prior and present inventions, which have made our life easier, more productive and pleasant.

Perhaps, folks who don’t recognize their own good luck will be reminded of some in their lives by reading my effort to itemize several of mine:

* I was raised on a hard scrabble depression dairy farm. Two important items taught me were hard work and making due with very little. Poor farmers in those years had no electricity or power equipment. All work, for example, hand milking cows twice a day, 365 days a year. All work at night was done by lantern outside and lamp inside. No running water, refrigerator or inside toilet.

* I had the good luck to have a terrific elementary teacher who taught 8 grades and about 28 kids. She had older student help (extra learning) for younger students in the classroom, on the playground and for unforeseen problems that developed almost every day. She was trained at a school located where Middle River Health and Rehabilitation is today. She drove to Menomonie on Saturdays and used her library card to bring books for me. I loved Kenneth Roberts and having read both Rabble in Arms (American side of the revolution) and Oliver Wiswell (English side). I learned very young that much of history depends on who wrote it.

* I had the good luck to have an uncle in St. Paul invite me, after the summer farm haying was done, to spend a week with them. I saw electric lights, refrigerator, hot and cold running water, inside toilet, etc. Best of all, he worked an 8-hour day and a 5-day week. Oh Boy!

* I suffered an infected ruptured appendix, which turned out to be good luck at age 18. Doctor said no heavy lifting for several weeks. Farm work was primarily lifting so I hitchhiked to Milwaukee for the summer and learned much about city life.

* During the first year of college, I was an assigned infantryman training at Fort McClellan, Ala. in June.

* I married Jean Stoll in 1944 — 54 years of good luck as she was the mother of our three children, which are my very good luck yet today.

This list could go on and on, and I hope it reminded you of some of yours. A lady reader of my column sent me a poem entitled, “Drinking from the Saucer.” The first several lines of that poem may also remind you of some of your good luck:

I’ve never made a fortune,

And I’ll never make one now

But it really doesn’t matter

‘Cause I’m happy anyhow.

As I go along my journey,

I’m reaping better than I’ve sown.

I’m drinking from the saucer,

‘Cause my cup has overflowed.

I don’t have a lot of riches,

And sometimes the going’s rough.

But when I have good friends to love me,

I think I’m rich enough.

Bernie Hughes, Ed.D, is a retired educator who resides in Superior. He can be reached at bernie3024@centurytel.net.

Tags: community, seniors