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So we ask: Where do we go next?
By Gina Spadafori
February 27, 2009
The slender young woman who came to the house to help take the mortal remains of my father to the mortuary wasn’t a tick over 25. My mother says to me, “Why would a pretty young girl go into that business? She must be family.”
I thought about it a second.
“Well,” I finally offered, “you gotta admit that the death business offers pretty good job security.”
I thought about what I said a little, then shook it off. Nah, couldn’t do it. I guess I’ll have to stick with writing.
But oh, is it hard to be a writer right now.
Books aren’t selling. Newspapers are crumbling. It’s so bad all my writer-editor friends and I have pretty much agreed not to talk about it much. Let’s talk about the kids. The pets. The garden. The Peace Corps, which no fewer than three friends have expressed an interest in joining.
And of course, it’s not just media. Everyone is hurting, all kinds of industries are cutting and everyone is worried about the “what next.”
Me? I gotta believe in the future, and in adapting and changing, which is always stressful as well as exciting. Which is why I’m delighted to be heading to the airport this morning to pick up Dr. Becker, for a day of kicking around some ideas. What next? Where are we going?
We’ve commandeered a room at my veterinarian’s practice to meet in, and since the practice wants to show off for Marty, I’m taking McKenzie along to demonstrate their fancy-pants ultrasound machine. So we may know if she’s pregnant — which offers no guarantee that she’ll stay that way, since it’s just too early.
But ya gotta believe. And ya gotta move on.
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Ya gotta move on. And hope for new life. And remember wonderful lives that have gone on. And be thankful that there are people who pursue all types of careers that provide what we need, even if it is something we’d rather not want.
I am counting on McCutie being and staying preggars and giving me something fun to watch as the spring (it WILL be here, right?) unfolds.
Comment by Janet Boss — February 27, 2009 @ 8:32 am
You may be lucky in that you write (among other things of course) about pets. And as we’ve seen recently, people haven’t stopped spending on their pets. I just bought 4 new dog books recently, as a matter of fact.
My job sort of hinges upon people continuing to get into car crashes. I think they will; but I shouldn’t hope they will, so it’s an odd dilemma, I guess.
Comment by Lori — February 27, 2009 @ 8:54 am
I think you’re right — just keep moving on.
Whenever bad stuff happens, I’m so happy to have my dogs. I don’t know how life would work without them. There are few emotions that cannot be overcome (at least temporarily) by watching my Greyhounds run and play and “be dogs” — They fill (and fuel) my life.
Comment by Sarah Regan Snavely — February 27, 2009 @ 9:10 am
We are thanking our lucky stars we have a dog by our side right now as a family member dies in hospice. Where would we be without the dogs? I’m also wildly thankful that the hospice is so forward thinking that not only are dogs allowed, but they’re *encouraged* and doted upon. Makes life (and death) easier for everyone.
Comment by Laurie Luck, CPDT — February 27, 2009 @ 11:16 am
Amen to Hospice. My vet takes her dog to visit Hospice patients on her day off. What a beautiful ministry that is.
Kathy
Comment by Kathy B — February 27, 2009 @ 11:51 am
I am glad that your animals are giving you such comfort. My sympathies go to you, Laurie Luck, CPDT, as you go through such a difficult period in your life.
My two remaining kittycats keep me alive, with their demands, their cuddling against me, and their antics.
Comment by Colorado Transplant — February 27, 2009 @ 11:54 am
Gina, I heard psychics do well in this type of economy, so maybe you could be one—just kidding!
My husband is a telemarketer for newspapers since his retirement. His hours are being severly cut. And in the beginning they were only three hours a day.
So sad, this economy, that it makes me want to laugh for some facial relief. I am getting tired of looking glum-glum!
Comment by Colorado Transplant — February 27, 2009 @ 12:12 pm
Where we are going is back to sanity. Things that matter. Valuing things.
It can’t be anymore painful then our current predicament.
Comment by Kate — February 27, 2009 @ 3:25 pm
Gina, I’m sorry to hear about your dad. Furry hugs for you…
Comment by Becky — February 27, 2009 @ 4:12 pm
Re: newspapers crumbling. Even in this economy, people don’t seem to want to do their JOBS! 3x in the last 2 weeks, my local paper and NYTimes (same carrier) have failed to arrive in a timely manner. I LOVE my newspapers in the morning and really get hacked when they aren’t here. I dutifully log a complaint, which generally results in duplicate papers because the guy finally gets off his butt and delivers, plus the newspaper groups send a replacement out. Not how I want to spend my mornings! His excuses in the past (this is a long time problem) include that he was detained in JAIL for DWI. Oh goodie. I’m pretty sure there is someone without a job who would love to replace this guy, and I said as much to my local paper.
Comment by Janet Boss — February 27, 2009 @ 4:31 pm