Saturday, June 7, 2008

Learning To Adjust

THE LAST TRUCK COMING OFF ASSEMBLY AT GM PLANT IN SOUTHERN OHIO

My spouse and I had a nice visit with our daughter and her family tonight. This was our family dinner night and we weren't sure how the evening would go since our son-in-law received word this week that the GM plant in which he's employed would soon close permanently. This was a very stressful week for him and for our daughter.

As we dined on pizza, our son-in-law told us he'd made the decision to move on from GM, take the severance package offered, and go back to school to learn a new trade instead of waiting for GM's doors to close. I know that wasn't an easy decision for him to make since it will result in a substantial cut in pay. It was a brave move in my way of thinking - a leap of faith. My daughter had also made some decisions. She's already looking for another job - one that will pay a bit more than the position she now holds - and she's ready to tighten the family belt and do whatever is needed to make funds go further.

My spouse and I are so proud of our kids for how they're dealing with the devastating news of the GM plant closing. My daughter and I talked this week, just after the news broke, and she was being so strong for her family. We discussed how, when one door closes, another door or window opens. She remained upbeat and optomistic and her main concern was how she would comfort her sweetheart when he arrived home. My son-in-law loved his job and the security it gave his family. I was proud of my daughter's maturity and her ability to take bad news in stride. This is a valuable lesson for all of us, as it reminds us of how quickly things can change and that we should never take anything for granted.

As we raise our children, we have high hopes they'll turn out well. We want them to mature and grow in healthy ways and to learn to be responsible adults who have empathy for others. My daughter and son-in-law made me feel very proud tonight. They've come a long way and weathered some storms, but they stand strong as a team and are not worried about what the future might hold. They're doing what is necessary to insure their family has the necessities and they will continue to have each other for loving support. They know they have our support as well. I feel very blessed and extremely proud when I see how far they've come and how much love they show each other, even in adversity, or should I say, especially in adversity. That is where the true test of love and maturity lies. I think my daughter and son-in-law passed that test with flying colors.

2 comments:

Donna said...

"A bend in the road is not the end of the road... unless you fail to make the turn." [Author Unknown] It is a big test for such young adults, but they have wisdom beyond their years.

You raised a good gal, momma!

Kady said...

Thank you for those kind words Donna. It's so true, a bend in the road is not the end of the road. That's similar to what I told my daughter when she gave me the news. I told her to remember this might be life-altering situation, but it wasn't life threatening. Thanks for your comments!