"When I look back on my life, what jumps out is how many variables had to fall in place in order to give me a chance" (J.D. Vance, "Hillbilly Elegy," p.239.
Many years ago, a man of considerable success and wealth said to a group of Rotarians, "Life is full of free lunches."
He went on to list so many things and people that simply came to him as gift, out of the blue, if you will, or from the hand of God, as some might say.
A loving home and the wisdom of mindful parents.
Teachers who cared and encouraged and challenged.
The network of family and friends who looked after him.
His own ambition and good health.
His dreams and energy.
Professors who never let him get away with shoddy work.
Folks who helped him get his first job.
The banker who loaned him money, on his word.
And all along the way, people, even strangers, who showed up at the right time.
And all of those fortuitous moments, too numerous to mention, and mostly unknown.
All of these, and more, the free lunches of life.
Here was a wise man who understood that his life was a gift, not a achievement of his own doing, and as such, there was only response, and that was gratitude, immense and all-consuming, gratitude, and the promise, the pledge, to be a free lunch for others.
How it should work, who knows.
Some have the opportunity, but something gets in the way.
A crummy family life.
Poor health.
Bad choices and no one around to cushion the fall.
Who knows?
A spectrum of variables, bits and pieces.
But this much I know, for those who "make it," there's only one legitimate response, gratitude. And maybe a huge amount of humility, as well.
Too many people walk around these days with their arms in a sling, broken arms, for patting themselves so vigorously on the back.
But for the woman or the man who truly understands the millions, even the billions, of variables that had to come together at just the right time so they could make, there is no back-patting, but only open arms and open hands to everyone around them.
And the best we can do is give and keep on giving free lunches.
Government programs, of course.
Personal engagement, you bet.
Financial support for aid organizations, all the way.
And many more moments and variables in which we can play a part for others.
Coming from a poor working class home, I wouldn't call my life "a Free Lunch", but I was given opportunities along the way. My parents were too proud to be on "Welfare", but our neighbors, who were, shared with us what was left of their food (provided by the gov't). When I went into the military, I wasn't expecting an "education", but I got one. When I was discharged, I attended college b/c of the GI Bill. Couldn't have done it with gov't assistance, but taxpayers got their money back in spades.After I retired (prior to 65), I needed medical assistance and got it from the VA Medical Center...So you can call it a "Free Lunch" all you want (those complaining about it), but every step of the way, there was some payment and some payback. Thanks, Uncle Sam!
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