Shade Tree Wisdom 9/4/12

          So classes were in session at Texas A&M University, and maybe students learned something, I don’t know. I do know I spent this past Labor Day reminiscing. My thoughts went way back to my Adrian days when we used to have a sort of end-of-summer gathering.

          It started when members of the Board of Education got the idea to invite staff to an outing to end the summer and begin the new year. One of the members lived where there was an empty lot next door, and invited us over. There were hamburgers and brats and hot dogs and other food, each brought a dish or two to pass.

          After the meal, the youngsters played a game of touch football, and they ended up in enticing dads to play also. That became sort of a ritual for the day, sons against dads. First the dads easily prevailed, but when sons grew and put on some heft, things got interesting. And Fran always came away with a sprained ankle or a sore shoulder or a skinned leg because he played too hard.

          Meanwhile, several watermelons were cooling in tubs filled with iced water. When the afternoon drew to a close, there was another sort of snack meal, and we all helped clean up.  As the twilight drew near, we ended by singing, usually,
     “Abide with me, fast falls the eventide,
      The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
      When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
      Help of the helpless, O, abide with me.”

          Then we joined hands and joined in the Lords Payer, I spoke a blessing, then we each wended our way homeward.

          The satisfaction came from having lived the words of Psalm 133,l.
     “behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” Psalm 133,l.

GPD 9/4/12