We Made Do

The boy smirked, “What is a “boogaleg” sandwich?” “You’ll see,” said Shirley as she delivered a sandwich on a chipped ceramic plate—like she was serving it on a silver platter to a king. The boy took a bite and grinned. “Oh, it’s a plum sandwich,” he said. “Yep,” said Shirley, “sliced plums between bread. My dad gets one every day, but I only get one every week because we have to ration the plums. As you know, ingredients to make bread cost money.” “Ya’ know what is really swell?” asked the boy, “Chocolate chip cookies. A man on the train gave me a bite of one.” Shirley licked her lips, “Yep, the radio says, m-m- Everybody’s making chocolate chip cookies, but that is not the truth. The semi-sweet chocolate chips cost a lot of money.” The boy frowned, “We used to have lots of money,” he said. “Why don’t you have any now?” asked Shirley. “Everyone got poor and they couldn’t pay for a doctor anymore. So we jumped on a train and came here. My uncle works on a farm, and my dad hopes we can both get work.” “I sure do, son, and we need get moving to arrive there before dark. How’s your head?” “I’m okay.” ---- The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it: If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something. The millions who are in want will not stand by silently forever while the things to satisfy their needs are within easy reach. We need enthusiasm, imagination, and the ability to face facts, even unpleasant ones, bravely. We need to correct, by drastic means if necessary, the faults in our economic system from which we now suffer. We need the courage of the young. Yours is not the task of making your way in the world, but the task of remaking the world, which you will find before you. May every one of us be granted the courage, the faith and the vision to give the best that is in us to the remaking!