Change
In 1929, my maternal grandfather was a logger in Northeast
Washington. The physical demands of his job required the assistance of
several horses. My grandfather grew very attached to these animals, and
as a young father with a growing family to support, their labors were
especially appreciated. In spite of these efforts, after the stock market
crashed in October of that same year, my grandfather was faced with a
difficult change in circumstances. With the downturn in the nation’s
economy, all his efforts in Washington were for naught. The logging
business was abandoned to search for paying work, and with that, the
horses sold.
It was the auction of one specific horse, Buster, which hurt my grandfather
the most. Three times my grandfather saved Buster’s life, and my
grandfather always believed Buster knew this. He told the men at the
auction about Buster’s merits and expressed concern over his horse’s
future treatment. My grandfather wrote in his journal that when the auction
gavel finally dropped, he bowed his head and wept. Two older, worktoughened
farmers put their arms around his shoulders. One kindly
consoled, “It’s ok Skinny. We all know what it’s like.”
After leaving Washington, my grandparents decided the Willamette Valley in Oregon might
be able to support their family. They settled into the beautiful countryside but things were
far from easy. To make ends meet, my grandmother sold yeast starter in jars. One of her
customers, Anna, was a recent Swedish immigrant with a large, rambunctious brood of step
-children and two more children of her own. Twenty years later, my grandparents’ oldest
daughter would marry the youngest of these children.
My grandparents’ adversity created the ability for my parents to meet and ultimately, have
children. Without the loss of the horses and many other things, my existence in present
circumstances could not be. Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone, said,
“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon
the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” At HELPS, we have
learned to look for the open door. Often problems can be resolved. There is always
enough time for hope.
At HELPS, we hope to help others wherever they are, hence our motto “sharing the
burden.” You can help us by sharing what HELPS does with others. When you are done
with this newsletter, please don’t throw it away. Leave it at your doctor’s office, senior
center or pass it on to a friend. Many seniors don’t know where to turn for help with
their debt struggles. If you know anyone in need of our help, please let them know what we
do. We are here for any and all in need of our services.
My sincere thanks to all of you..
