FIFTY YEARS AGO TODAY and FIFTY FROM NOW
Hard to believe, our last big birthday party was fifty years ago on July 4, 1976. We were living in Owosso, Michigan. Well, Heather, Chad and I were there. Jud was in New England. So, why the separation? Well, Jud had just been hired as the Dean of the Faculty at Gordon College, starting July 1st. And, while this was an answer to our prayers, it wasn't without challenges.
Well, for starters, we had our house to sell and packing to do. And, while I can multi-task, this was a case of major multiplication of tasks. Plus Heather was six and Chad was four. So, you get the picture. And then there was the Bicentennial. So I did the best I could to party. I put Chad in our red wagon, while Heather rode her small bike. Our small flags flew, as we joined towns and cities across this land, waving flags from sea to shining sea. Then we went to Wendy's for two Kids' Meals and three Frosties. Don't ask. Like age, it's just a number.
Later Jud called with the question most asked around dinner or bedtime, "So, how was your day?" I recounted ours, adding the box of sparklers. Then asked about his day. Jud described joining Dick and Jody Gross, and 400,000 other folks IN BOSTON for the Boston Pops concert, Arthur Fiedler. and fireworks to beat the band, so to speak.
And in a flash, I knew I'd hitched my little red wagon to a star. Jud's enthusiasm for Gordon and the region, energized me to get packing. I wanted to move to a place steeped in history, and to become part of a college with history and potential. And fifty years later, I remain grateful for both the place and purpose.
Nothing's perfect. But, potential and promise permeate the DNA of our country. And of us. We have potential to do better, to learn from our mistakes. And to do good in the world. Remember, our diversity is our strength. Democacy isn't top down. It's bottoms up. Not easy, but possible. "Democracy requires of its citizens qualities that it cannot provide. Politicians can conjure an exalted vision of a prosperous, healthy, and free society, but no government can supply the qualities of honesty, compassion, and personal responsibility that must underlie it."(German philosopher, Jurten Haberman, quoted in Philip Yancey's Grace Notes today)
And that's why The Church, schools like Gordon College, our families and individual choices matter. Character matters. Imagine if we make better choices, love one another, listen thoughtfully, vote with a hurting world in mind, what we could celebrate at our next BIG birthday in 2076?!
We'll need more than red wagons to pull and flags to fly. We'll need unflagging faith in God, each other and recommitment to support the truth stated in our Declaration of Independence: "All men are created equal," And men includes women and all colors and kinds of people. God's idea, not mine.
Imagine.
Bottoms up!
8 Comments
My Mom loved to celebrate holidays. The 4th of July was a longtime favorite and coincided with my brother's birthday on the 4th and mine--eight years earlier, lest there be wonders about twins separated at birth by a tick of the clock--on the 5th! (Mom would joke that my birth arose from her eating too much watermelon on the 4th! [I know, itsa rather seedy origin story!])
Patriotic gathering and mustering of the militia would occur on the Falmouth, Mass. town green every 4th, with presentations of the flags of the 13 colonies, a 13-gun salute, with the singing of America the Beautiful. Someone would talk about the writing of that beautiful poem as its author, Catherine Lee Bates, was born in Falmouth and taught in Cambridge, Mass. She was interred in Mount Auburn Cemetery there.
This morning arose an interesting local twist. Although her poem had been set to several tunes, the most popular (and Catherine Lee Bates' favorite) and the one we now know, was written by Portland's first municipal organist. And in additional trivia that you really didn't need to know, San Diego and Portland are the only two cities in the United States with municipal organists!
"... And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea!"
Amen.
Wow! Thanks, so much for adding to the blog with your personal history and the history of America the Beautiful, dear David. I didn't know about municipal organists. Fascinating facts. Mount Auburn Cemetery is a beautiful and historic place to visit. So many famous people are buried there like: Longfellow, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Dorothea Dix, Fannie Farmer and names most never heard of, like John Hooton (1755-1844), oar maker and part of the Boston Tea Party. Seemingly small people, we owe a BIG thank you to for their part in making possible our 250th birthday celebration.
OOPS, MY OLDE FINGERS MISSPELLED the German Philosopher. He must be rolling over in his grave, although he is not buried at Mt. Auburn. Please note, it is JURGEN HABERMAS(Drs. David Aiken or Malcolm Reid would know), not JURTEN HABERMAN. I'm sure Jurten is a nice guy, just not THE philsopher associated with the quote in my blog post.
Jan, I read your post wisrfully, wishing we had access to a more special way to celebrate the 250th. Our kids who live near New York City were able to see the tall ships in the harbor with the Blue Angels flying overhead, but no such festivities in southern Appalachia. So I got started to get all excited for the tricentennial in 2076 until I realized, oops, won’t be here for that. But our grandchildren will, and hopefully this little democratic experiment called the United States of America will still be around.
Love what you wrote Jan. So true about each of us having a part of this grand experiment. Responsibility, compassion, honesty and sacrifice have to be found in the boardrooms and bedrooms. It starts little and low before it can grow stronger and higher and last. God help us to remain true to Him! Love you, Jan.
Oh, dear Chrissy, seeing your name show up means so much. We are sisters by marriage, but heart sisters, as well. I need my Carolina fix so hope to get down to you before leaves take leave and snow shows up. You have family who have helped keep us free through their service in the military. And I know some of the wounds they bear because of their service. Please thank them. Democracy is a grand and fragile experiment. A few votes one way or the other make a BIG difference. And not voting is even worse. And to renew our trust in God and love for each other is like holy oil to keep the machinery of governing moving in ways that honor God and draw us together in divisive times. Hug my big brother for me and the rest of my Carolina family.
As you and your family were preparing to move to the North Shore - so was I! A young 17 year old moving from Phila to Boston - big stuff, but I was excited. I would have been more so if I'd known now what a blessing so many of the friendships I made at Gordon would be to this day - including you dear Jan! Just got together with Sandi + Bob Moir, and Wendy Connor down in Clemson, SC. So very special. Hope we can get together again before too long too! Love you!
Oh, I love reading about "my Gordon kids" getting together. Yes, those friendships are so important. And it is why where we go to College makes such a big difference. Classes matter, as to majors but even more the influcence of professors, staff and students we meet. You met Steve at Gordon and I met Jud at Wheaton. So thankful I never went to Baylor which was on my possible list. I'd never have met Jud, worked at Gordon College and met you and so many wonderful people, who became lifelong friends.