I think we'll make it

I was involved in a conversation yesterday that reminded me of a book I read a few months back. I would have trouble going into great detail about the plot or story line because I’ve read another twenty five or so since then, but the part I was reminded of yesterday was a very small and unimportant section anyway. Below is the condensed version, see what you think.

The book was about a young couple with two little boys that had moved from a small town in the Northeast to the big city of Boston Massachusetts. They were in the process of having a home built in a suburban area, but were temporarily living in an apartment in the heart of the city. They had arrived right around Christmastime and enjoyed the holiday with friends and family already living in the area, but were anxious for their new home to be completed. The New Year holiday would soon follow, but since no family celebrations were planned the couple decided to spend it at their temporary apartment in the city.

This was a big new year; the beginning of a new century; the future. There were many rumors floating around based on some ancient prophecies about the world coming to an end on this date so many families decided to stay home, and most made no plans at all. Being so new to the large city with its crime, varied religions and large population of foreigners, the couple decided to stay home and not risk a public New Year’s celebration. They were told many parts of the city had lately become very dangerous and that the criminal element would be “out and about” on this popular holiday. They were beginning to wonder what they had gotten themselves in to by moving to this large and modern city.

Well they made it through the night exhausted but unscathed. From their 14^th floor apartment they had heard revelers celebrate the New Year until the wee hours of the morning. Fireworks, gunshots, breaking glass, police whistles and even an occasional scream made sleep nearly impossible, but daylight brought forth quiet and empty streets; no damage beyond broken liquor bottles and scattered trash. As scary as the night had been, at least the predictions of Armageddon had not come to pass; but what a horrible city filled with such an intoxicated and nasty bunch! What had the world come to?

The husband decided to help his wife prepare breakfast for the boys; maybe this would start the day off under a better light. Judging by the look on her face he was beginning to think that she was no longer fond of his decision to move to the city and he silently kicked himself for not planning the move until after the holidays had passed. They would be alright he thought, but what about their two young and impressionable boys? Growing up in such a mean and modern world how could he have any hope that they would turn out to be as polite and well-mannered as children from his generation were expected to be? Well it was too late for those thoughts now, they had come this far and the husband was determined to make it work! He turned off the stove, dropped to one knee and grasped his nervous wife’s hand. “We’re going to make this work honey” the husband pleaded “I promise to always take care of you and the boys…oh, and Happy New Year! Can you believe it’s actually 1900?

When you have decided that the world is “going to hell in a hand basket” just remember that that basket has been around for a very long time! They made it in the mean world way back then…I think we’ll make it too!