What Difference Does It Make
by
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It was a breezy, sunny afternoon when the train arrived in Brunswick. The station was crowded as Jane approached the lady at the travel agency desk inquiring about a room to rent. Seemingly nice and in an apologetic voice, she said that hundreds of people were coming into town daily to work at the shipyard and there was no place for them to stay. The YWCA accommodated women but only for two nights, and there would be no vacancy for that night or the next. Too, a dormitory for women was being constructed, but it wouldn’t be completed until four weeks later. Bewildered about where to live, Jane asked permission to stay in the train station that night, also, to please reserve a room at the YWCA for two nights later. While halfway sleeping and nodding on the long bench, she kept asking herself, "Is this the wisdom of choice, or should I accept the grace of exclusion and go back home to start up the steps to success again?" As the sun began peeping through the dingy windows at the train station, the thought came to Jane to call Mr. Wilson. Explaining who she was and needing a place to stay, he related that he was working night shift and she could sleep in his room while he was at work. Giving her the address, he would inform his landlady to expect her that night. Somehow she didn’t thrive on this idea. After freshening up in the rest room, eating breakfast at a two-by-four café, she went to the personnel office at the shipyard. As she waited in line for an application, she pondered the thought of making herself two years older, which she did – born in 1925 instead of 1927. Jane applied for office work. In the interview the man informed her there would not be an opening for two weeks, but there was a big demand for construction workers, especially welders. Her knowing nothing about welding, he stated the company would send her to welding school there on the yard, and pay her to learn. Too, welders made almost twice as much as office employees. The next school started two days later. Quickly Jane began thinking, "Why not? John’s on a Liberty ship, the pay is good, and what difference does it make if I’m pounding a typewriter or a welding machine, as long as it’s a job helping in defense of our country." With a sensibility that half of her mission in this booming, crowded, coastal city had been accomplished by getting a job, frantically, she began seeking and searching for a place to live – just a bed to lie down at night would seem like a superlative suite. Frazzled by late afternoon with no luck, her only alternative was to call Mr. Wilson’s landlady. Wearing heavy make-up, having an atrocious attitude, wanting the rent for the night right then, and leading Jane down a dim lighted hall to a small room, she said the room had to be vacated by 8 a.m. the next morning. Not having been to bed since leaving Atlanta, Jane was so exhausted that once she laid down and said her prayers, it was like being in never-never land. All of a sudden at 7:30 a.m., she was awakened by a man sitting on the edge of the bed with his hand on her shoulder. She was scared half to death! This had to be the Mr. Wilson. Asking her if she would like to share the bed, she indicated determination in a firm voice, and asked "Now what would Mrs. Mac and the good Lord think of you? If you don’t mind, or if you do mind, please go out into the hall for a few minutes!" In this incredible situation and to her surprise, he stepped outside. Quickly getting dressed, she hurried out the door without saying a word. Resenting his boorish behavior, she offered no thanks for his room to sleep. After all, she had paid the room rent and locked the door for the night. As far as she was concerned, this Mr. Wilson could go straight to hell in a haystack. This was the first and last encounter with the vicious villain. In corresponding with Mrs. Mac she never mentioned his name.
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About the Book
Surviving the horrible hurricane in 1926, struggling through the despair of the Great Depression, and working incessantly to end World War II the family kept their faith during these tough times. With so many unpredictable changes in Jane’s life, we follow her through the heartfelt emotions, sometimes comical, when she was at a crossroad. Led by faith, she used the wisdom of choice or the grace of exclusion. What Difference Does It Make captures your heart in revealing the inspiration, dedication, and hard work of this southern family – brings you laughter and tears in the overwhelming events. Suddenly, like the sun coming out from behind a cloud, Jane discovers what really does make a difference in life.
About the Author
Sara M. Robinson, after retiring as postmaster in Iron City, Ga., at age 71, purchased a typewriter for $79 and began writing her first book, What Difference Does It Make, while sitting at her kitchen table. She joined a writer’s club at Bainbridge College for a short time. Her purpose for writing the creative nonfiction novel was to allow the values of the past to speak to us. Born in Miami, Fla., in 1927, her family soon moved to Texas where her father helped build the first power lines across the state. In one year they moved 52 times, living in everything from nice houses to tents – even a cow barn at one time. During the Great Depression they moved to the family farm in southeast Alabama. A few years later they moved to southwest Georgia. Sara has led an adventurous life with "mountaintop" experiences. At only 16, she graduated from high school, finished business school, and became a first-class welder at the shipyard in Brunswick, Ga., and also became engaged to be married – all in the same year. In 1945 she married William Robinson, whom she had known in high school. He joined the U.S. Navy on December 11, 1941. After being discharged in 1946, they moved back to Iron City, built their own house, and had two daughters and one son. The family was most active in the community, especially in the church and with all of the children in the surrounding area. One of the most exciting experiences of her life was serving as a juror on the Alday murder trial. Ten years later Harry Reasoner came to town to review the Alday murder case and trial. When invited to appear on 60 Minutes, she accepted. After William’s death in March 1992, Sara continues living in the same house. At age 74, she is a ball of fire – paints her home, cuts the lawn with a push mower, fixes the plumbing, and whatever else has to be done. She is actively involved with her children, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and goes fishing when time permits. Presently she is serving on the Iron City Council. Her life is rich in the fabrics of love, adventure, and friendships. Her secret for being full of life and energy? Just exercise – your body, your mind, and your spiritual life.