Day: May 6, 2019

An older gentleman came by my table today at Trade Day and was wearing a “vote for Tom Dooley” button. I was gonna’ make some little joke about what would happen if he lost….as in “lay down your head and cry” so I say: “voting for Tom Dooley?” Big mistake. I got a fifteen minute teaching session on what is wrong in America today…mostly consisting of the fact that “America is not adhering to the Christian beliefs of the Founding Fathers” ….”but most of them were deists weren’t they, and didn’t they want separation of Church and State?” “NO SIR..!! that’s entirely wrong!” says he. “Our forefather’s were all good Christian men, and they wanted this to be a Christian country!” A young man who was with him shook his head in agreement. “But I have read that Thomas Jefferson had his own Bible, in which he made changes…and also had a child with one of his own slaves” I said, trying to go against the “good Christian men” theory. “No sir..” he say’s again. “That thing about the Bible is a lie…and that other thing about the slave women….well that was his brother that did that” “His brother?” I said. “Yep, everyone know that his brother was the one that did that and since they proved it with DNA..his brother would have the same DNA, right?” At this point he was getting a little red in the face…and I decided it was time to give up my position. “Well, I guess….” I said. He decided he didn’t want to buy anything and walked off. I looked at one of my other friends who sometimes comes to visit for a spell. “Hang down your head and cry” he said while

shrugging his shoulders.

A day rarely goes by that I don’t think about the past. I realize that in most cases it is better not to dwell there, but I don’t believe an occasional visit is a bad thing.

I think of all the people I have known, who are now gone, and the good times we had together. I think of trips I have taken, both alone and with others, and all of the beautiful fragments of this world I’ve laid my eyes on.

I think of the children and grandchildren I have touched, kissed and held in my arms and loved. I have memories of them to visit and smile over.

I think of my wife, who has been on this journey with me for so many years, and how she is such a part of me. My conscience and my reminder to live what I say, and not simply say the things I think I am.

The more we live, the longer we are here, the larger our past becomes. That mirror into our memories is large and easy to stand in front of and endlessly reflect. We do have to move out from in front of it though, and keep moving. Tomorrow is another day, and another chance to build upon the wonderful things we want to put into our library of memories. Oh, I know there’s also some bad there too. Always will be. But we can overcome the bad if we’ll only allow ourselves to do so.

I hope everyone has a safe and great week.