I am grateful for the words on Thomas Paine…
whose words, like me, are a little old and time-worn…
but convey every parents’ dream from the time our children are born.
It is a dream we parents have…a dream that will never cease:
‘I prefer peace.
But if trouble must come let it come in my time
So that my children can live in peace.’
I wish more people were blessed to experience
nature’s gentle side…
the peace and the tranquility
her mountains, trees…her lakes and oceans provide.
Having spent a lot of time in nature
It is my unmitigated belief…
that nature with her quiet beauty
will always help with stress relief.
We had this little open outdoor space at our cabin…and every time we walked by it…
We tried to think of different ways…that we could beautify it.
Then the other day as we stood on our porch the two us became aware
of a ton of stones in another part of the yard no longer needed there
The idea blossomed to take those stones from their resting place
and move them in an artful way to fill that open space.
There was a minor problem…one I quickly came to understand…
the only way to get those stone from one place to the other…was to move them all by hand.
My hands to be exact…and in order to be able to make the little climb
I discovered I could only move 1- 5 stones at at time.
But that seemed a small price to pay…although the journey would be hard
to beautify that spot…to bring some artwork to the yard.
So I would lug 1- 5 stones at a time…and place them…with Deborah as my mentor…
(It was her wonderful idea to create a peace sign in the center).
For a couple hours (maybe more…I lost track of time)…my body tired…
but my fortitude never ceased
and when we were all finished we had a beautiful symbol of peace.
And I thought while I was grunting, groaning and sweating…
as the birds and squirrels around me whispered to each other and smirked…
how making peace from a ton of stones by hand…is a lot of work.
And I was reminded of something people have learned…in every country…in every land…
how making peace around the world…is a lot like moving a ton of stones by hand.
How you have to move one stone at a time…turn one enemy into one friend
and how peace, though never easy…is worth it in the end.
But in this country and the world rather than using our hands build peace with our stones…
we throw them at one another instead….
and in the end we destroy buildings, hospitals, churches, families…leaving many people dead.
I wish there was a way to stop the source(s) from where all our stone-throwing stems…
because I fear if we can’t find a way to build peace with our stones…
we’ll end up buried under them
As we await our first great-granddaughter…
speaking now as a great-grandmother and great-granddad
we are grateful to see opening up
another section of our heart…
we never knew we had.
May we be blessed to understand
across this planet on which we dwell…
there is reason for the way old people and children always get along so well
It’s in what they share with each other
despite one being more in the past…and the other more in the future tense
because old people with the children share their wisdom…
while children with the old people share their innocence.
The last couple of times we’ve had dinner with our family I have been enthralled
as we sit and talk around the table…by all the names I’m called.
Since James was given to me by my parents on the day that I was born.
like most people I’ve had many names…many hats that I have worn
In the moments our family spends together, however,
in all the conversations we have had…
Deborah calls me Jim…Damien, Trista Taylor, Aden and Ava call me PopPop…
while Bryan, Ali and Ryan call me Dad.
And I got to thinking…now that Damien and Trista are about to have a baby
(November 14th is the anticipated date)
although I don’t yet know what my great-granddaughter will call me…
I know it will be great.
Whatever name she chooses…I’ll add it to the list I’ve been compiling…
and just like Jim and Dad and PopPop…when I hear it
you can bet that I’ll be smiling.
Which makes me think…
although our birth certificate contains the first name to befall us…:
we spend the rest of our life trying to live up to
all the different names that people call us.
With the hope the people who say our name…whatever name
will always love…and never fear it…
and we will smile…feeling that same love…every time we hear it.
So when we’re gone…when our friends and family are seated around a table…
when only memories of us remain….
a smile will cross the face of everyone…
every time they say our name.
I’m grateful I understand…I think it’s universally agreed
when we look around our world
we can’t help everyone in need…
But think of how many people would be helped…
when each day is done…
If somewhere in that day..
we each helped just one.
