Wednesday 9 July 2008

Doh! It was Roosevelt who said it.

As doglover so wisely pointed out, I misattributed the fear quote to Churchill in my last post. In my heart I knew it was Franklin Delano Roosevelt, but in my mind, I heard Churchill's voice say it. It was from Roosevelt's 1933 Inaugural address. Here is an excerpt:


I am certain that my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the Presidency I will address them with a candor and a decision which the present situation of our people impel. This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.

Could we have had two better leaders -- Churchill and Roosevelt -- during that time? Certainly in the U.S., Roosevelt turned things around. My dad's parents, on the dole and desperately poor, found employment thanks to Roosevelt. He had his faults, dragging his heels on entering WWII among them, but he did so much for our country too. McCain and Obama would do well to try to emulate Roosevelt (although I recall the Clintons also bringing up his memory).

I can't read the papers anymore without seeing the depressing headlines about the wretched state of the economy. But we're not at the breaking point yet.

Today the weather matches the grey uncertainty of the economy. Raindrops splatter against the windowpanes. The garden looks forlorn, bereft of sunshine. It matches my mood. I worry endlessly about hubby not finding a job. Not just because of the change of lifestyle. I haven't written about my mother for a while. The drama has died down, but the prognosis is not good. My stepfather has been diagnosed with something called progressive supra nuclear palsy. Dudley Moore died of it. Right now my stepfather is responding to levadopa, a Parkinson's drug. But that will be shortlived. Right now he is able to dress himself, get in and out of bed, make his own breakfast. This is the calm before the storm. By next year I expect he will be back in a nursing home. Or even dead.

And what of my mother? The house she lives in is in the names of my stepfather and his two daughters. He built that house with his own hands. I have no quarrel with them wanting to keep it in the family. But what about my mother? Will the daughters tip her out when their father has died? I used to think they wouldn't, but now I'm not so sure. In April I thought perhaps once hubby had found new employment we could purchase something for my mother in Florida, near my sister but not with her. That isn't an option right now.

So hubby's unemployment affects more than just us. I know we are not the first -- or the last -- family to endure this. I know by the end of this period of our lives we will be stronger. And I might even be an expert in shelf stacking by then.

9 comments:

J said...

I keep wanting to tell you something inspiring to help you through - but I'm at a loss. Nothing I heard while I was unemployed was particularly inspiring, despite the best intentions of the speaker.

I guess all I can say is hang in there. It will get better.

Mean Mom said...

My husband has suffered redundancy 3 times, now. I have never felt at ease, since the first time. On the second occasion, it was 9 months before he found a job and they were very tense, uncertain times. I'm sorry that you are having to live with all of these worries, at the moment. My father is very frail at the moment and I also wonder what the future holds for my mother and for me, in fact. I hope for better times for you.

There are awards and a silly post at my place, if you feel up to it. I more than understand, if you would rather stay away, just at the moment.

menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

I have an award for you over at my place.

willowtree said...

"He had his faults, dragging his heels..." Give him a break, he had polio!

DogLover said...

Now I'm embarrassed, wakeup! I couldn't find a way to email you about Churchill/Roosevelt, but felt I had to correct you in case your many readers went away with the wrong facts!

So get your own back on me and laugh at me: I was alive (just) when Roosevelt spoke those words so I'm as old as the hills! I can't blame the US coming into the war late - what would we have done in their place after they had already saved Europe in the previous war? Thank goodness for Pearl Harbor!

Take a crumb of comfort from the fact that I spent more than a year without a job when I was youngish. I know the worry. But I'm sure something will turn up for you.

Gill - That British Woman said...

Its hard when your parents get old, and especially where blended families are involved. We are in the same situation. Luckily though both my parents and their spouses houses belong to both rather than one adult.

Fingers crossed that your dh finds a job soon.

Gill a fellow Brit living in Canada

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

j.: I know. It's just something to get through. Better weather would help.

mean mom: I love silly posts and awards so will be over shortly.

mob: When it rains... Thank you. I'll be by to pick it up soon.

wt: And a mistress (but wouldn't you if you were married to Eleanor?). How did he manage that?

doglover: Of course, I'm glad you corrected me. You're younger than my dad so you're still pretty young, by the way. Yes, this situation is temporary (I hope) so like the sky, it eventually will clear up.

gill: Remarriages can be quite difficult with all sorts of issues that crop up. Like the housing one. Wish my mother had thought that one through 22 years ago.

Fire Byrd said...

Can't ad anything to this, just wanted you to know I'm thinking about you.
xx

lady macleod said...

It does not matter if you are the "only" one to suffer this particular fate or no, when it is your lot you get to complain, pray, or scream. Keep your chin up and your powder dry.