This week’s column is by Scott Thybony.
No matter how hard things get, most of us know someone who has it even harder. As a writer, I’ve found myself listening to the stories of people who have suffered in ways most of us can’t imagine. Some have been friends and others strangers, people who have survived torture and starvation, slave labor camps and death marches, the agony of being trapped in a canyon dying of thirst or caught for days by a storm on a cliff face, and perhaps the hardest of all – the loss of a child. On some days the list of human tragedies seems endless.
My normal reaction after scratching down a few notes is to tell myself I have no grounds to complain about anything ever again. This new perspective usually lasts about three days, before I slip back to my old ways. That must be why I’ve kept a letter from 1973 as a reminder. I found it lying on Route 66 after the snows had melted, somewhere between Joe’s Place and the train station.
A mother had written to her son, but without a full address or even a last name I was unable to return it. The old typewriter used was out of register, the ribbon faded. The letter had been folded small enough to fit in a shirt pocket, and was likely lost by her son on his way through Flagstaff.
“Dear Son;
Was happy to hear from you. Were both just fine here. At least
we don’t have eny colds.
Your Dad hasn’t got all his teeth fixed yet, he went to see
about his Dentures but they want far to much money. Don’t know
what hes going to do now.”
The mother continues in her bittersweet way, updating her son on conditions at the ranch and how busy they’ve been getting the land ready for harvest. She adds, matter-of-factly, how they were unable to take a vacation this year, although his dad sure could have used some time off.
“Were also in a Hell of a bind with the Internal Revenue. We
have to pay them monthly, plus pay a friend back for the advanced
money he gave us to get your Dad’s teeth fixed.Oh well that’s
just a part of life. Everything can’t always be a bed of roses.”
She reports that the family dog has died of old age, and how they miss the little thing. But she reassures him his “one cent Dog” is still hanging on.
“Your Dad got his pickup back from Fats. But he just plain
has’nt had time to work on it.”
Times are hard, and she’s been filling in at the local bar to make ends meet. She dreads the coming walnut season and the hard work it will entail – then stops abruptly, afraid of burdening him with too many of her troubles. To brightened things up, she tells him how they love their new eight-track stereo. And then it’s back to how the price of food has gone sky high while the wages have remained the same. She doesn’t know what’s going to happen if things don’t change soon. But it’s the next line that took me by surprise when I first read it.
“Uour Dad said he hopes that you do get your 45 days off.
Will both be glad to know that your out of that Hell Hole. just
make Dam sure you don’t go back again. Your going to haveto keep
your nose clean.”
She goes on to mention their upcoming Silver Anniversary and how he’ll soon turn 24-years old.
“The years sure do go by fast.
Well’ I guess that’s all the news for this time;Our Love
to you. Will send some cigarettes as soon as were able to.
Love Alway’s
Mom & Dad
P.S. Here is a Picture of me that I haD taken at the 5& I0. If I can couch your Dad in to going
to the 5 & I0, I’ll have us get a picture taken together.”
Whenever I read the letter it reminds me of the people around us who have to work until they’re so tired they can’t stand up, and love until the heart breaks. Yet somehow they find a way to keep going, and do it with a surprising degree of acceptance. So I’ll hold off on my thin complaints – at least until the next time I find myself stalled at a long traffic light. And there you’ll find me, muttering to myself.
Scott Thybony has traveled throughout North America writing award-winning articles for major magazines. His book for the National Geographic Society on the canyon country sold hundreds of thousands of copies. As a river guide he won the coveted Colorado River Jerry-Rigging Award for fixing a broken motor mount with beer cans and driftwood. His commentaries are heard regularly on Arizona Public Radio. Listen at www.npr.org/podcasts/381444137/scott-thybony-commentaries.