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"Well, this is it!", said John. 

 

12 hours later they arrive at their destination and are greeted by their family overseas.

 

"John, John, my boy! I'm so glad you're here.", said his Uncle Peter.

 

"Yes.  Uncle Peter.  Hello and it's good to see you."  John gives his Uncle a great big hug.  Uncle Peter gave him such a big hug that he was practically gasping for air.  "

 

 

"Everyone is back at the house waiting for you.  We have a nice dinner prepared and later on we can all talk."

 

"Ok Uncle Peter, OK. ", John said exhaustingly, "It was a long flight I can't wait to get home and settle in."

 

"Yes. Yes. Here let me take those bags for you".  Peter escorted John and Tammy into his vehicle and put the suitcases in the trunk of his car.   

 

Peter lived about a half an hour from the airport, in a small town outside the capital city.  Him and his wife and his three children were about John's kids age.  They worked hard to keep their farm going, and owned a restaurant and storefront in the city where they sold fresh vegetables and produce.  There was a local church in the neighborhood that was struggling, and Peter spent a lot of time there helping out other families in the community.  They were good people.  Everyone held their own and when necessary were always available to help each other out.  It reminded John of his home in New York, except that the economy was a lot more uneven than there.  You see, his country was liberated from communism many years ago, and people were allowed to vote for their government.  Freedom was the concept, but reality was the government still had very little power.  

 

Many of the people who used to run the country still had the reign of the land, and although they too agreed with democracy, very little had been done to help the poorer people.  It was like a having a republic but most of the people were fascist.  So the votes always went in their favor.  And the town where Uncle Peter came from had a weak voice against the city which was not too far away.  It was impossible to convince them that everyone should be treated equally.  

 

When they arrived at the house, Peter, John, and Tammy were greeted by Peters wife, Natalia, and their two sons Gus and Tommy, and their daughter Mary.   Mary had prepared a nice mean for everyone.  Turkey, Roast Beef, Lamb, fresh vegetables from their garden, mashed potatos, and home-made wine.  They all sat around and talked and laughed about their history together and how happy they were to see each other.  It was a great time.  

 

"So when are you going to start working with the government", said Mary.

 

"Well, I don't have to start working for some time with them so I figure I'll help Uncle Peter on the farm and in the restaurant for a while."

 

"We could really used the help John I appreciate it.", said Peter.

 

"What are you going to be doing there when you start working for them?", said Gus Peters' oldest son.

 

"I'm designing a system for the government that will help run and organize things more efficiently.  I'm hoping this will save money and bring some of revenue back to the local communities.  This way we won't have to ask the more successful folks to reach into their pockets.  You know how hard that is right?", said John

 

Everyone laughed.

 

John laughs out loud.  "Yea, and not only that, I intend to help them too.  You see you get more bees with honey.  In my country it's similar.  People are successful and don't want to see their money go to waste.  I intend to EARN it from them.  Now here are some of my plans."

 

John began talking about the researching he had been doing over the years in new technologies for agriculture, automotive, home improvement and automation, power, telephony, and even medical.  He had been an engineer for over 25 years and worked at many Fortune 500 companies, as well as small businesses back home.  When he spoke with his Uncle Peter about them Peter said "Why don't you present these ideas to our government?".  John thought this was a great idea and after writing letters and speaking with a few people there, he was invited to come and work with them.  

 

"The most difficult thing about modernization is making people believe that it's going to work.  And its important not to eliminate jobs by doing so.  People fear change at times, and its vital to bring new ideas to the table without intruding on the systems already in place.  Gradually this will work, and everyone will be happy."

 

"Once they see my intentions are good and a few ideas in place that are working they will want more.", said John, "and don't forget a lot of the old ways of doing things are better than the new ones.  They just need to be cared for and respected".  

 

"Sounds like a plan", said Tommy.

 

"Thank you.  Thank you for being supportive.  I think we can do a lot.  But right now it's all about Uncle Peter and Aunt Natalia,  working on getting things working on the farm, and making the restaurant busy again.  

 

"Well, I must say that was a wonderful dinner.  You just can't get that kind of a meal buying food from a local supermarket.  Nothing like a fresh home cooked meal."

 

It was relaxing for John and Uncle Peter to sit in the living room after dinner.  Hearing the ladies working in the kitchen and the children willingly helping them, John said "They're good kids.  They really are."

 

"The best", said Peter, "I dont know what I would do without them.  Uncle Pete and his wife Mary, although much older than John and his wife Tammy, were blessed to have their three children only about 22 years ago (Gus being the oldest, Tommy 18, and Nalalia 10).

 

"Gus is my anchor.  He was with me working since he was a little boy.  He knows everything about farming, and Tommy is learning how to run the restaurant.  Tommy loves the city, and the people there.  I'm sure he'll wind up getting a place there and run the restaurant.  He's going to school to be a master chef.", Peter laughs out loud, "Not that he needs to his mother is a great teacher and excellent cook".  

 

..."and Natalia, well she is already become quite the studious one.  You never have to tell her to do her homework."

 

 

 

The night was getting old and Tommy and John were about to retire from the long plane flight.  

 

John and Uncle Peter sat around for a while talking about their plans for the business.  Tammy and Natalia stayed in the kitchen cleaning up after dinner, and the children went back to their rooms to sleep.   Later on Peter and Natalia showed John and Tammy to their room and they finally got the rest they deserved.  

 

"Good Night Uncle Peter and Aunt Natalia, Good Night!  Thank you for having us."

 

"Oh, anytime", said natalia, "Good Night!, See ya in the morning!", said Natailia.

 

"Yes.  and Thank you.", Tammy said and kissed them both good night.

 

"Tomorrow's another day!" , said John.  

 

"Yes. Tomorrow's another day.  So rest your weary heads and pleasant dreams", said Peter.