Pioneer resilience

A few months ago I rummaged through some old papers Mother left me in her estate. I am the family historian with nostalgia for the good old days. While reading a book on Whittington, Illinois by the Eighth-Grade Class of the Ewing school under the direction of Mr David Gross I was filled with appreciation for my ancestors and hope for the future. However, hope only if as Americans return to the thinking and purposes that made pioneers so remarkably resilient.

William (Will) Winemiller recalled his experiences growing up in southern Illinois. "I was born on a farm on March 7, 1850. During the Civil War many of our neighbors went to the south and several never returned. Sometimes it seemed that the weight of the whole world was on my shoulders for I was sent to the homes of men-folk who had gone to war, to cut and saw wood for fuel and to carry water from the springs, help make sorghum and do many other things in the pioneer homes.

"I went to school in a one-room log house with a latch string through the door. We sat on split-log benches, puncheon floors with open fireplaces to keep warm. Oiled paper over openings in the walls were our windows. My mother made the most wonderful quilts and sister wove beautiful coverlets, some of which are still in use in my house today. Sister was always busy and known as the smartest girl in the whole neighborhood.

"Talk of depression was never thought of. Few of us had any money nor was there much for which we could spend the little we had."

I am especially struck by the comments on depression. Pioneers like Mr Winemiller are important teachers for we experience depression at greater rates than any generation in history. Despite amazing economic and technological blessings our citizens are increasingly sad, depressed and hopeless. We live in more splendor than 99.9% of all the people in history and yet we feel worse than any group we know.

The pioneers experienced great adversity. They faced it, embraced it and replaced it charity. Mr Winemiller did his neighbors' chores when they went off to war. The stress of war and overwhelming responsibility were not overwhelming or disabling. They provided him challenges of a purpose greater than himself and they became opportunities of serving others.

Only a mission that is bigger than myself leads to joy. St James said "Count it all joy when you encounter trials and tribulations for the testing of your faith produces endurance..." The pioneers in southern Illinois were not saints but they knew this truth and took it beyond a theological insight. When life was tough those guys gave. One of Mr Winemiller's grandkids said, "My grandpa Will didn't have much during the Depression but every day he went looking for hobos to invite home because he believed everyone should get a good meal." Economic disaster was an excuse for serving others not for self-victimization.

So, be a Victor not a Victim!