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| The work is getting done. Guess who's in charge? |
Husby is retired now.
As am I.
He had been at the same organization for over thirty years.
He knew the business inside and out.
Wrote most of its policies.
And conceived and implemented nearly every one of its processes.
Yep. Inside and out.
But in his organization, a new wave of up-and-comers were . . . up and coming.
They’d not changed any of the policies. Yet.
But they were beginning to tinker with the procedures.
Don’t get me wrong. That’s fine.
There are always new and improved ways to do things. I have no problem with that.
What I do have a problem with was the way they regarded my Husby.
Suddenly this man who has been a main cog in the great machine was being regarded as a bit rusty.
Out of date.
Useless.
The fact that he had personally schooled and guided every single one of these young people meant nothing once they’d gotten their momentum.
And they’d definitely gotten their momentum.
Sigh.
Our story is not unique.
I see it happening all around me. Older people who were once at the forefront of their fields of expertise are being sidelined. Disregarded.
Ignored.
Those who, though they may have fallen a bit behind in the technological side, could still be viewed (and utilized) as a source of wisdom and knowledge.
And experience.
Husby and I were speaking of it one morning. The lack of . . . respect.
Is it something the new generation has not been taught?
All of this is my long-winded way of telling a story.
Which I’m ready to begin. Finally . . .
During its heyday, the Stringam ranch was a hub of activity and a great source of employment.
Cowhands came and went. Learned a little or a lot.
But left better than when they had ridden in.
And a large part of that was due to my Dad’s example.
He led, choosing to work with the men rather than give orders and watch from the sidelines. He counselled. Disciplined. Instructed. Corrected. Instructed again.
And the men respectfully listened.
Oh, there was the occasional man who didn’t like the discipline that the Stringam ranch demanded. But even they learned to show respect during their short stay.
Most of the men went on to lives of industry. Some to direct their own enterprises.
All spoke of my Dad with respect and affection.
One man came to my parents fresh out of high school and had then stayed a number of years under the tutelage of my Dad. In his quiet way, he soaked up everything he could learn.
Then he married and finally left to begin his own ranching enterprise.
The bond of friendship remained strong.
One day, he called my Dad at Dad’s room in the local senior’s lodge. The man, and his son who was now running their family ranch, had a difficulty and needed some advice.
Who did they turn to?
My dad was nearly ninety.
His days of directing the affairs of a large ranch, riding the range and commanding crews of hired men were long behind him.
But the respect for his knowledge and expertise and the genuine affection went on.
Daddy hung up the phone from that conversation and cried.
Is this respect being taught today?
Do we look at the elderly people around us (and they are growing in number) and see someone who is merely old? Redundant? Stupid?
Or do we see the person they were? A person full of life and new ideas. Contender and driving force and world changer of their generation. A person who could still be a fund of knowledge and experience.
A person upon whose shoulders the newest generation is standing.
I hope so.
If not, it’s a great waste.
And a pity.
P.S. About the picture. The guy in charge is the one kneeling on the ground, holding the calf.
Interested in reading and ‘liking’ my semi-finalist short story, Nighttime in Newsome?
Go ahead! It’s totally fun!
You are so right. Elders are not respected for their sage advice based on life experience. Younger people are missing out.
ReplyDeleteWow. Got a little misty-eyed when your dad cried after that phone call. I can see my own father doing that. Sounds like you and Grant are both talented writers. You'll always have that, which is a gift all your life.
ReplyDeleteI believe many young people are going to find out too late they've wasted a generation's worth of experience and expertise. I do hope I'm wrong.
ReplyDeleteThat first part really rings true. I was nearly 34 years with an outfit. I practically built the business but that was all considered redundant when that day, four years ago, I received a 'Dear John' letter telling me that I was out the door. The owner wrote the letter, left it on his desk and headed for Europe. He messaged the general manager and told him to deliver the letter. After 34 years I would think that I deserved a sit-down conversation.
ReplyDeleteBut in some ways I have the last laugh. People still seek me out to ask for advice...
My father was a trained chef who always made the most wonderful Thanksgiving meals. As he got older, he started teaching the younger generations his tricks. Two weeks before he died, as he lay in bed, his grandson would come into the bedroom and ask him a question, whether it was when to baste the turkey, how to make the gravy, etc., he would listen carefully, say thank you and I got it, Grandpa. Then he'd go back out into the kitchen and cook. Thing is, my father's voice was so low and raspy at that point, it was hard to understand what he said. And my nephew didn't need to ask but he was doing it out of respect to make sure his Grandfather still felt connected to Thanksgiving.
ReplyDelete