My Life Between the Dimensions

Me with my Schwinn.  Meacham Lane 1955. The Farley neighborhood in the early 1950’s on Meacham Lane was pretty much comprised of blue-collar men of trade, their offspring, and their wives. Almost without exception the sole occupation of the neighborhood wives and mothers was to take charge of the household in general, cook two or three meals a day, raise the children and see to their moral and spiritual education in addition to being a homework monitor, and care for everyone in sickness and health. In some instances these incredible women were also expected to manifest miracles with their husband's meager paychecks in order to balance the family finances. The men and women were honest and decent folks that always had the screen door open for company and most all reserved Sunday mornings for church and Sunday school.  Some of the men drank beer in the evenings and on the weekend, but in those days, that was the extent of recreational endeavors to escape the week’s trials...

So Sears is in real trouble and is closing even more stores.  Any one that had a career with Sears and worked during the 70’s and the 80’s forward, saw this coming a long time ago.  The opinions expressed are my own, but I believe that they are the entrenched views of thousands of Sears associates, past and present. Before judgments are made as to personal bitterness or career disappointment, let me state at the beginning of this narrative, that I have had a 36 year career with Sears, and it has both enriched me, rewarded me, and fulfilled me.  I loved experiencing personal growth and milestones, developing incredible friendships with valued mentors, friends and associates, and having the reward of an income to raise my children and support my family with enough leftover to retire comfortably. But, I want to be definitive that my greatest joy in working for Sears, Roebuck, and CO. resided in the years 1969-1989, and again in 2000-2004. My own career with Sears...

Art from "Genesis for Normal People" by Pete Ennis, PHD During the course of my life, I often debated my belief system.  I am a white, middle class, American-born male child.  My generation was referred to as the generation of “war babies”, coming into existence during and immediately after World War II.  I am a Christian and lean decidedly Conservative in my political philosophy, as did my parents and grandparents, although there is no doubt that my standard of living and financial status is substantially improved over their own. What I especially debated in my spring and summer years, was my belief in the Creator and Christianity in general.  My father and mother were wonderful examples and role models, attending church every time the doors were open, tithing the 10% the church and biblical guidelines called for even though it meant having less food to eat for them and their two sons and made any kind of paid entertainment a luxury usually beyond their mea...