The Absent Uncle: Life stories are so important

The Absent Uncle had a conversation recently with another of the 11 nieces and nephews. So many good people and the great stories. Almost being absent for so many years is making these stories even more special. Life decisions, situations, and judgements cast so many directions for all of us. Just talking about the events, in retrospect, point out the amazing tapestry of life.

This particular nephew is a successful career corporate executive. (Think he would resist being called an executive, but that is my interpretation of his job.) College training in agriculture and education.

So, he came out preparing himself for life (big time, long-term) and had to make some decisions. Interviews with large, agri-business firms, a wish to teach, and unquestionably a desire to succeed. Hopefully have a family, take care of that family, and not disappoint mom and dad.

But the great thing here is the decision tree. You know what that is. You come to a fork in the road and have to choose. Right or left? Succeed or fail? So far as you know.

This is where the story becomes so delicious. The why’s.

My nephew was faced with a decision to follow the education path. Become a teacher. He interviewed, was shown his perceived circumstances of his position, and decided he just couldn’t do it.  

Nothing like seeing an old tractor on the shop floor and the expectation (unsaid) that he could restore and put it together.

Maybe he could, or maybe not. But a decision was made.

He goes with the corporate route and today he is looking at a successful retirement in just the next few years. He has worked hard for that, and I am proud of him for his efforts.

Just an old tractor in parts on the shop floor.

Life stories are so important. The forks in the road; the whys of decisions; kind of it can go either way; and luckily, some of us can look back and say with relief – whew.