Mikes Place

By Michael L. Craner

As the holidays approach, I have found myself in a more and more reflective mood. Just the other day, sitting in Shoney’s having breakfast, and staring out the window in semi-trance, I thought about my current situation, and how I had gotten here. There I was, over 200 miles from home, installing telephone equipment for a telephone company. Having breakfast alone, again, in another restaurant. The day was overcast, with light rain. This was a good part of the reason for this reflection. I love weather like that, but it always takes me back to another time.

My family had long since grown weary of my absence, getting home for the weekends just isn’t enough. I had been trying for over a year to find some good employment in a related field that I wouldn’t have to travel. The internet had helped, I had a few hundred phone calls from employment recruiters who wanted me to do the same thing I was doing, but for other companies. I had had a couple of really good leads, where the companies either went through a hiring freeze, and forgot about me, or their offers were not worth taking. Now I was wondering if the latest avenue would turn out to be a disappointment. So far the hiring manager had been great, always initiating contact with me before I got restless enough to call him, always cheerful and friendly. Maybe this time…

Then I started thinking back, to the career before. U.S. Army, 1990, I arrived in Germany and started the closest thing to a “real” job I had ever had. Oh the year before was also in the Army, but it was all training, and I had worked in restaurants and fast food for a couple years during high school, but now I had a real direction. Now I worked in a shop, maintaining mobile satellite systems. Of course I got to go to the field, and other countries in their times of need and provide field support for the communications systems, along with guard duty, KP, and all the other “fun” stuff that went with military life.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but the four years I spent in Germany were to be a catalyst that would set me up for a major portion of my life, if not for the rest of it entirely. (That remains to be seen of course). When I started working in the shop, I met some real hot shots, they really knew their jobs. I admired the way the operators got along with them, and requested certain technicians to be with them when the went to the field. I vowed that before I left Germany, I would be like them, if not better. When I finally did leave, I felt that I had accomplished that, and much more. I also began to realize that the better you are, the more they abuse you. I was once even threatened to see even more time in the field, (which was impossible), for trying to train a smart ass young private my way, when the Sergeant wanted to harass and humiliate him by making him use inaccurate and outdated technical manuals. By the way, that smart ass advanced through the ranks quickly, because he was smart. He also nearly landed me a great job with him near Washington DC a year ago, until his company layed off a bunch of people and went through a hiring freeze.

When I got to Arizona, my next assignment, I discovered just how good things had been in Germany. I also discovered what mismanagement could do to morale. I began to realize that I could do better in the civilian sector, and began my plans of getting out, “working a real job” and making a ton of money.

My next mistake was to entertain the offer from a company who had a Reserve Army Major running around to all the communications bases and recruiting for his company. All said and done, that’s how I got where I am now. Although it hasn’t been easy, and seems sometimes like a series of mistakes, I can’t really say any of the choices were a total loss. I gained valuable knowledge of various equipment all along the way, as well as some good insights.

So, now my breakfast is finished, and it’s time to work. Hurry up, get the job done so you can get back home. Seems like that has been my motto for the last three years. Little did I know, that in a few hours, I would be talking on the phone with my new supervisor, for a new company, accepting an offer that would further advance my career and keep me close to home. A job that would have escaped my notice if it weren’t for another Army buddy.

With Christmas around the corner, there is a whole new level of stress and problems to deal with. Just yesterday, we were out with the kids, trying to figure out what it was they wanted. Between about a half million other kids and parents scrambling around the city, running you over, grabbing the last Poke’mon (whatever the hell that is), I just about lost my mind. I quickly paid for the few items we did pick up, and went out to the car. I put in a Christmas CD, not your usual run of the mill type, this one was an old fashioned style. With a couple types of dulcimers and Irish whistles, and songs I haven’t heard in years if ever. Quickly they reminded me of what we were really celebrating.

Not the fact that Poke’mon was a box office hit and every kid in the world had to have one. Not the not-so-friendly fight to see who can spend the most in gifts for someone else to stand in line the day after Christmas to return them. No, it reminded me about the love of Jesus, and families, and being together. Since we can’t go home to neither my parents or my wife’s family, we just have each other. Now that I will be starting the new job very soon, we will have more of that. That feeling of comfort and security enveloped me and brightened my mood. I suddenly had a plan, and had just a few more stops to make.

A few hours later, we were back home, putting up the tree, and hanging stockings, listening to more beautiful Christmas music all the time. Soon, the table was set, a fire was burning brightly. The oil lamp on the table, the fireplace, and the tree were our only light as we took hands and said grace. We thanked God for our blessings and for fine dinner in front of us. Then we ate, as a family, together, during the most beautiful and magical month of the year. As I looked at the faces of my children and wife, I realized I had everything I ever needed or wanted right in front of me, and silently prayed that I could teach my children to appreciate what we did have more than what we didn’t.

On behalf of my family to yours, I would like to wish everyone the happiest and most joyful Christmas you have ever had, and if at all possible to spend it with family, and let them know how much you appreciate them.

--Mike