Thankful for the skills

I have been watching the news like many people in the world. I can't help but remember my grandfather and my dad talking about what the depression was like. My grandfather died many years ago and I am in my fifties. We have been a blue collar family for generations. My dad was adament about either college or learning a trade. I didn't want to go to college and I didn't join a union but I developed a very high level of skill in the automotive collision industry. I know that I could have been anything that I wanted, looking back. Most people that are succesful at one thing could apply the same focus and work ethics to many other proffessions. My business skills and my technical ability have combined to keep my lifestyle quite comfortable for many years. Now that we could be heading into the next depresion I see what my grandfather meant when he said the guys who could fix anything were king. I am so thankful for my repair shop and all the wonderful equipment I have bought over the years. In my little town many people are self sufficient. We should have a partially stable micro economy. I don't think we will be on any type of an expansion program but comfortable simple survival might turn out to be an admirable position. I may be a little alarmist with these statements but if it all comes to pass I rest well at night knowing I am personally in a safe condition. A truck load of cash might not be worth near what a well built wind generator and some solar panels would be worth to run a battery powered green house and refrigeration units. Hunting, fishing and gardening might all become much more than a pass time.
I still love my work even after so many years. For this I am thankful for being brought up in a self sufficient blue collar family. Even though I have made millions of dollars over the years I still value my skills and tools above all else.