Saturday, we attended a wonderful birthday party for my buddy, Ron.  His daughter, and MJ and my niece, Tara had provided a wonderful setting at a winery in Carlyle, Illinois.  There was terrific food and all the wine that you desired, and a tangible feeling of love for the patriarch of our family!  You see Ron is my brother-in-law…but he seems like my brother!  I met Ron over 42 years ago…and we were both bit younger.  Throughout the years we reglary enjoyed holidays and special occasions together, but it is over the past 10 years that we have really gotten to know each other.  I recall my first thought the first time that I met him…’I like this guy!’

As I sat next to Ron Saturday I reminisced as to our many adventures.  One of the first things that I learned about my friend is that he has a young heart!  He not only knows how to have a good time…but he knows how to inspire those that he is with to have a good time too.  Our first trip together was to Jamaica…and he talked me into climbing Dunns River Falls.  I thought that I was old at the time…and I was 10 years younger than I am now!  Ron is a little older than I.  He scurried up the falls with the fleet footedness of a mountain gazelle…while I left my finger prints in every stone that I grasped for dear life as I feared that the end was near!  

Our family has been graciously invited to Destin, Florida by Ron and Ira Kaye on numerous occasions.  We have wiled away the hours watching the ocean and walking on the beach…and enjoying the bounty of the cooler.  Ron and I have a tradition of enjoying an afternoon at the Wine and Cheese shop in Watercolor, Florida while Ira Kaye and MJ shop at the quaint stores that are within walking distance.  We have solved the world’s problems on several visits…with the assistance of additional wine!  

Ron is an exceedingly kind man who fiercely loves his family.  I have never been with him that he did not speak of his daughter and grandchildren and his son-in-law, Mike, in the most glowing and heartfelt terms.  He is one of the most skilled people that I have ever known.  He has built houses and wired them and he is a wealth of knowledge!  At times he and I have somewhat different political beliefs…but he always speaks to me with the utmost of respect and deference to my feelings.  

My sons, Aaron and Jonathon, love their uncle Ron!  When they hear that there is an opportunity of visit with him…their eyes sparkle!  I have always been older than my years…and Ron has taught me to look on the bright side of life!  Whether I have been staying with him in Destin…or attending a fish fry and homemade ice cream social at the lake of Centralia…he has consistently been more concerned about everyone else happiness and well being.  

Mary Jane loves her brother…I noticed once in a supermarket in Destin that they seemed to speak a language with each other that both understood… and the rest of us watched with curiosity as to the translation.  

Ron’s face was alive with delight and his smile and laugh were prevalent during the festivities on Saturday…and we were blessed to be a part of it!

Note: The photo of Ron and Mary Jane is courtesy of our great niece, Paige Fleeman.

This past Friday we visited the St. Louis Art Museum.  We attended he exhibit, Millet and Modern Art: From Van Gough to Dali through Labor Day.  

I have been a fan of Van Gogh for many years.  When we were in Paris in 2012 we visited the Musee d’Orsay and there was an entire large room, packed with people, that had nothing but Van Gogh paintings.  

Ron and Ira Kaye were accompanying MJ and I…and their presence made the day 10 times more enjoyable!  I was impressed with the thought and planning that the Art Museum had put into social distancing and face masks.  We arrived about 20 minutes early and the staff had large umbrellas for our group to shield us from the sun’s rays.  We were in the first group of the day which was for seniors…but they looked young to me!  

After our tour we shopped in the Museum’s Gift Store.  Once again they were serious regarding social distancing.  MJ purchased a Frida Kahlo face mask.  I saw a Starry Night face mask…but suspected that it would not fit my face.  When we arrived home I tried MJ’s on and discovered that it fit me perfectly and was extremely comfortable.  I ordered 2 and MJ order 1 of the Starry Night masks.  

We enjoyed a wonderful lunch and Bella Milano at O’Fallon.  The food is superb and the service is first rate!  

The exhibit concluded with three works by Salvador Dali.  

Art brings me a lot of comfort in our troubled times.  When I reflect on the struggles of those who came before me…I am humbled…

Then, of course, we must have one more…Starry Night…

I began at SIUC 42 years ago.  Prior to my beginning I was intrigued with the notion of a major university in Southern Illinois.  Although I was born in Chicago my mother and father were Southern Illinois natives.  They had migrated to Chicago for employment.  They had decided to return to Eldorado, Illinois, where my mom’s family resided, in order to start anew after marital discord and soon after the move… divorce.  I vividly recall SIU theatre students coming to Hillcrest school to perform a play.  My imagination was captivated!  I dreamt  of someday being a part of such a magical place as Southern Illinois University!  

I did not begin my relationship with my school as a student…I began as an employee for the Physical Plant Building Services department.  My job title was Building Service Worker I…and I was extremely proud of it!  I knew that I had obtained a secure job with the university that I had loved since my youth.  One of my first impressions of my new environment was the wealth of diversity.  I was placed on a custodial crew with students from several countries.  My foreman was African American and, as time went by he mentored me and set me on the road to success in the department.  When a colleague had given me a little trouble…Jim instructed the chap that, ‘Jay Brooks was his son…he just would not call him daddy!’  

I said for many years that SIUC has a big sign over each of its entrances that says, Opportunity!’  Through the decades I became accustomed to being included by not only my colleagues but also by chancellors and a president.  My mom used to speak of the ‘little guy or the little gal’ and she was observant of those with resources and education who were not respecters of rank or social and economic standing.  Southern became a second home for me, up until and including today.  I felt comfortable there.  I knew that I was appreciated and that my efforts were noted and thought highly of.    I found that Southern Illinois University @ Carbondale is a home for all peoples!

SIUC is an oasis in the desert.  It is a pristine example of members of the human family working together and listening to each other and seeing each other.  I often reflect on the fact that our housekeeping department had over 200 student staff.  These students were from 70 nations.  Our full time staff was from the local Southern Illinois region.  Our full time staff loved their international student colleagues!  There was no thought of walls or border restrictions or lack of respect of another’s ethnic origin…. Building Services had over 30 custodial crews.  These crews were composed of a working crew supervisor and some Building Service Worker I’s and several student staff.  When a student member of the crew was sad or homesick the full time staff encouraged them.  When a student member of the crew was hungry…their full time colleagues shared their lunch with them.  When a student member of the crew thought of dropping out of school…the surrogate mothers and fathers that worked alongside them…talked them out of it!  We had an annual Thanksgiving Dinner that was attended by all of our student and full time staff.  The event was a joy to participate in…and spoken of throughout the year!  The Building Sub-foreman and the Building Service Workers and the Foreman…made food for the event…and their student colleagues…loved them for it!  

It is difficult to hate someone who you break bread with……

It is hot in Southern Illinois!  But then again it is July 4th eve.  Our 2020 pandemic continues to be a daily learning experience.  Forty states are experiencing extreme spikes in COVID-19 cases, with yesterday being over 50 thousand new cases within 24 hours.  When I think of planning for the future I am struck with the uncertainty and the black-hole that the Coronavirus has presented us with.  It is a time that we must follow the expert advice of our health care professionals and rely upon the gift of wisdom from God.  

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I have been a member of First Presbyterian Church in Carbondale for 22 years…and when I became a member I thought that I was old…  In those days our church had three boards; Session, Deacons, and Trustees.  I had not been a member a year when my friend, Barbara and our Interim Pastor, Karen, came to visit me in my office at the Physical Plant to ask me if I would consider becoming a member of the Trustees.  I was so moved by Barbara’s pleading with me…that I reluctantly accepted.  I remember being in a trustee meeting on the evening of 9/11.  I have always been a reluctant candidate for church leadership.  Even in the early days of serving on the trustees I had been involved in church leadership for 30 years.  I am convinced that there are others much more qualified than I for any leadership role…and that bedrock belief is a cloak that I wear proudly!  

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Recently I was asked if I would serve on the Session, which is the board of church members who are the elected representatives that  comprise the governance of the local Presbyterian Church.  I said that I would…and forgot to mention that I would do so for a year rather than the 3 years of a typical term.  You see, that I am very serious about my firm understanding that I have little to offer and my abilities are meager.  A year of my 3 years has come and gone and I have been ruminating on a humble and delicate way to say that my time is over.  

From the beginning of my Session service, this time, I have been struck with the humility and sincerity of my colleagues and are Interim Pastor, Kerry.  We had a Zoom meeting earlier this week and I was blown away with the consideration that Kerry exhibited for differing of opinions and the welfare of all members of the group!  I mentioned that I have been involved with church government and assisting pastors for over 50 years.  I have not witnessed a more compelling example of a pastors heart…than what I saw and felt from Pastor Kerry!  

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In days gone by I have been a first hand witness of over reaching and arm twisting and hidden agendas in the christian community.  Earlier this week I was a member of a group that God was in the midst of…

And so I will hold on a little longer…because I want to see and be a part of what happens next…and Christ will not let me go…

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