We Are Tough And Strong Amid The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

     I was remember when my new wife and I and our little baby boy moved to Kentucky in the summer of 1987, we were broke.

   
    All we basically had was a small rented U-Haul truck with his baby bed, a small dresser, some clothes and some boxes of college books and papers.  We had thrown the towel in and left Oxford, Miss., where I had been attending the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) for the last five years of my life before I got married and my wife gave birth to our child.  We decided to move to her hometown of Russellville, Ky., to get a fresh start in life in order to get jobs and raise our son.  I had some prior work experience in the hotel and restaurant industry and some work study jobs while on campus.  Also, I had done some electrical contracting work with my brother's small business while I was in high school.  However, my wife had quite of bit of office clerical experience and she was a super fast typist and a damn good speller. But still things were still tough when we first moved to Kentucky because we didn't know many people except her family and the economy was not that great in the late 80's in Southcentral Kentucky at the time.  A lot of the factories around the area had been shut down or had downsized during that time period.

      After six months of living in Russellville and working some temp jobs at a couple of factories (which was culture shock to me because I had never worked in a factory) we finally moved to Bowling Green, Ky., 30 miles east of Russellville where we able to obtain better jobs.  I went to work as a salesman for a three years for two large life insurance companies and my wife worked for a doctor's office and then she was able to get on at a brand new Japanese factory in Bowling Green working on the front office staff.  Eventually, I went on to work for the local newspaper in the newsroom for five years and was able to use my college journalism education.  However, after five years in the newsroom, it was time for me to move on to something else in order to make more money so I could better provide for my family. I landed on my feet in a sales and service career where I have been working for the last 25 years and I am now looking forward to retirement in a few years.  My wife is now a housewife with retirement and since we have moved to Kentucky, we have owned two homes and our son graduated from Western Kentucky University here in Bowing Green almost 12 years ago. He now he lives on his own in Nashville working in his profession of graphic arts and music.  Life does get better if you keep working at is my point.  Never give up and keep trying.

     Also, don't give up hope amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19).  Don't get down and depressed. Things will get better and we will get through this together.  Keep a positive attitude.  Turn off the television news for a while, stay busy and listen to some music that you really enjoy. Watch funny movies and TV shows while you're at home.  Play with your doggies and kitty cats.  Constantly create a safe space for your children and always reassure them that everything is going to be alright.

    Most importantly, we have to be safe if we have to venture out for essentials or if you work an essential job.  And we have to do what our government leaders and authories are asking us to do during the tough period in the history of our country.  And remember, wash your hands constantly and sanitize everything.  Wear gloves or masks if you have them while out in public.

    And lastly, think back about the some of those tough periods in your life like I just did above that you have been through already in your life.  Remember, we are tough and strong.  And "God does not make no junk" as the old saying goes.