Gomer Pyle often said, ‘Surprise…Suprise…Surprise.’ Such is life. Life is full of mystery and magic…and hot peppers. The answer is not in preparation…it is in faith. Without faith, some corners bring trouble. We dance merrily along until we do not. A good periscope that sees around corners would be nice.

The Old Man walked through the Woods. Green leaves were everywhere. Pleasant thoughts… unobtrusive… uncomplicated… the squirrels were happy to be with him. We humans, create institutions that have begun to work against us. Money has purchased the allegiance of our elected representatives. We would speak in their forums…who would listen. Our pockets are not deep. The old days of our leaders serving in Congress for a short time and then returning to their profession have disappeared. There is a palpable reason Congress does not do anything for its constituents…it does not pay as well as a lobbyist.

A vigorous dialogue is what our nation was founded on. Three equal branches of government. Equal, not subservient to the Executive.

Time will morph reality…if you are not paying attention. Encountering the Corners in our lives has caused many to play it safe…follow the religious or political crowd…let someone else do our thinking. Cults are prevalent. Cults are not an anomaly…they are a reality. Prevalent to the extent they no longer stand out. Persuasive enough to have captured the seats of power in our government.

There is more that is unseen than what is seen. A thin veneer separates us from another life. We entered this reality without a ticket and will leave without a request. Corners are before us every day. Some have been endearing, such as when I was asked to head the department that I had been hired into as a janitor. I never visualised this development…but MJ did. We lived in a four-room house for 22 years…MJ said that God told her that she would have a nice home. We have resided in the New House for 25 years. I had the vow that if I was given the opportunity of leadership, I would include the forgotten. This Corner Surprise happened when I was the head of the department.

Time changes things. What seems bleak today…shines tomorrow. Never compromise your values. Fear not. Represent the forgotten…the voiceless…the unseen.

Jesus came to the poor. His ministry was not to the rich and powerful… elite.. religious, powerful…the political powerful. They crucified him. Thirty shekels is not the goal. Influencing is not the path around the Corner. Around the Corner, our ancestors are watching our reactions to the smooth words of the conman. Grandma A died loving her Jesus and her Bible. She sought not the accolades of powerful…she quietly lived her faith.

Around the Corner is the Veil we want to peek around. What comes next? Do we continue in an alternate universe where little has changed and yet much is subtly different? Are there many versions of each of us similarly living our lives…if you look across the street? Is there an Old Man writing on his Writing Porch…as I write…