Brooks Dailey - December 20, 2005
Montana Farmers Union
Lost Illusions
Public Radio Commentary
By Brooks Dailey, Montana Farmers Union President
December 20, 2005
The loss of my illusions
There was a time when Christmas was full of hope, when people put aside differences and quarreled less. I remember as a child the longing for Christmas as it brought out the best in spirits. My grandmother’s house was especially fun as cousins, aunts and uncles gathered to get reacquainted. We would order broasted chicken by the buckets. The adults would gather in the kitchen and us kids would play 45’s on an old record player in a back bedroom. As I recall, there was close to fifteen of us cousins grooving to Peter, Paul and Mary, the Beatles, and the Monkeys. The big treat for me was a hot Tom and Jerry, without the alcohol but laced with lots of nutmeg. When we heard Santa at the door shaking his bells, we all knew presents were on the way. We would crowd in the front room and sing Christmas carols to let Santa know we were all in the Christmas spirit. I can’t remember any of the gifts, but the smiles and laughter will always remain.
As I got older, that Christmas party was replaced by other more important commitments, or at least I thought they were more important, and I quit attending. The distractions of life and challenges crowded out that joy I had grown up with. Soon we all became less and less connected and now I hardly see my extended family.
The end of one year brings the beginning of another, and it often provides a time for reflection. This past year I continued to point out the distractions and challenges that remain in rural Montana and in agriculture. We have faced high costs, low prices, a disturbing trade imbalance, and program cuts, just to name a few. At Farmers Union we try to address these issues and others everyday in our work and advocacy. But answering the call to meet the daily challenges takes effort and time, and it’s easy to lose track of the larger picture – much like the past family fellowship that was lost in the jumble of current demands.
Perhaps it was just an illusion that when I was young everything was simple and easy. But just perhaps producers were going through the same type of challenges that we face today. Years ago, the grown-ups realized that the reason they kept on striving was for the promise of a better future.
Another certainly is that the foundation of our non-profit organization is similar to many others – to support and represent our members or constituents to the best of our ability with a goal of sustainable prosperity for Montana and its citizens. There definitely are times, and Christmas seems like the perfect time, when we need to acknowledge ou blessings, our family and the many good reasons we live in Montana.
Our wish this holiday season and for all time is that job and health should come to you all.
For the Montana Farmers Union, I’m Brooks Dailey. Thanks for listening and best wishes for a safe and happy holiday.
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