Our modern world provides us with countless diversions.  There is television and movies, as well as iPhones and tablets to occupy our mind and engage our emotions.  It is easier than ever to either shut the world out or to create your own reality.  Of late, there seems to be a heightened belief or sensitivity to things being not what they appear to be.  A hidden hand or a ‘Deep State’ causing the rationale to become irrational, and the factual to become fake news.

My favorite science fiction character, Mr. Spock, insisted that logic was the primary measurement of truth.  Certainly the need for straight talk that is based on recognized facts is needed today.  Common sense is not as common as it should be.

During my carer at the University I noticed that all success is incremental.  I observed leaders who worked through the heat of the day, year in and year out, and who achieved great forward movement of the school.  Also, I saw heralded, messiahs, who were guaranteed to bring fame and fortune and students and….Great retention, thereof, who subsequently staid a year or two and then moved on to greener pastures.

A leader who promises you the moon and the stars…should be examined as to how many times they have succeeded in similar revolutionary endeavors.  Oratory is the oil of politics.  We must check to ensure that the oil has been applied to constructive endeavors…or is it just keeping the vocal cords, lubricated?

We are all a little fearful.  We are all a little on edge.  Most of us have read about pandemics…not many of us have lived during one that is the scope of the Coronavirus.  Perhaps we can look into each others eyes and see a glimpse of our brother and sisters…soul.  Presidents will come and go.  Media will continue, when we are no longer watching.  But the miracle of life…is more precious than the ‘gold of Ophir.’

It is Birthday time for MJ.  We begin our celebrations early.  Her actual birthday is Monday the 24th.  My birthday is on October 24 and our anniversary is on March 24.  We like 24!  We made our way to Cape Girardeau, Missouri for a fine lunch at Katy O’Ferrells Publick House, graciously purchased by Jonathon.  But first, was our tour of the plethora of antique stores along the river front.

The first store that we entered was, Pastime Antiques, and what did we come upon…but a large bronze statue of Frederic Remington’s, The Bronco Buster, and I was immediately captivated.

I had admired the Bronco Buster for most of my life and have seen it in a multitude of different mediums.  I remember Paul Sebastian cologne, which I purchased at our former Famous Barr department store, and they’re wonderful gifts that the cologne company provided with a purchase of their product….Especially around Christmas.  One holiday season I purchased a cologne for myself that was accompanied by a Remington Bronco Buster, in a small porcelain-black figurine that was suitable for setting on a desk.  I gave the replica to Ray, my boss, for Christmas and he displayed it in his office for several years.

This weekend we travel  for a fine Italian dinner at Bella Milano in O’Fallon, Illinois and then a visit to Powell Hall to hear the great rhythm and blues singer, Aaron Neville.  A few years ago we visited New Orleans and although we made great efforts to enjoy some extraordinary jazz music…we did not.

As I reflect on the years that MJ and I have spent together…I marvel at the exciting and challenging and happy and miraculous journey that it has been.  On our first date, I insisted that we ride in my 1963 Ford Fairlane car.  It was in January of 1978 and I had a large hole in the floor board of the drivers side of the automobile and the back of my seat was held in place by a board that had to be removed by anyone that wanted to sit in the back…and then replaced.  She wore her, lambs wool coat and her cheeks were rosy red.  It was cold!

On my first day back to work after our three day honeymoon…I was thrilled to find two cheeseburgers in my lunch box.  I thought to myself, ‘this marriage thing is going to work out well!’  When I told MJ how happy that I was with the upgrade to my traditional lunch of either peanut butter…or nothing…she said that I should not get used to hamburgers as our budget could not afford it….

The joy of having a partner to accompany you through the roller coaster ride of life, is difficult to describe.  As we were driving home from Cape, yesterday, I said something that I had been thinking and she laughed and commented that she had been thinking the same thing.  This mind reading phenomena happens on a regular basis, in the Brooks home.

The years have zoomed by…and I obviously eat hamburger when I desire them.  But the affection that I have for my young bride only becomes greater each year.  And…she bought my birthday present on her birthday!

Sooner or later, each of us needs a boost…to get up and do what a man or woman has got to do.  MJ and I were talking with our friends, Joan and Jim, Saturday night over dinner at the Flame Restaurant.  At some point during the animated discussion, the subject came up of someone getting a vitamin B-12 shot.  When MJ asked what the B-12 shot was good for, our friends did not know…other than the person receiving the shot…felt better for it.  This caused me to remember that my mother and her sisters often spoke of people who were feeling low, or let down, or tired and in the mulligrubs, resorting to going  to their doctor and asking for a vitamin B-12 shot.  They usually returned from the experience…bright eyed and bushy tailed!

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Years later, when I had struck out on my own, I became quite ill with the flu and became somewhat depleted, and rather had the appearance of ghost.  My friends advised me to go and see Dr. Fulk and told me that he would fix me up with a ‘shot that would restore me to my former vigor!’  When I met the good doctor her greeted me by refereeing to me as, ‘Little Fellow.’ He inquired what he could do for me.  I explained that I had been suffering with a bad case of the flu and wondered if I needed a B-12 shot.  He immediately administered the injection and asked if there was anything else that I needed.  My arm were the needle pierced the skin, hurt a little…and I was still tired.

Usually, the spark needed to ignite our internal engine of inspiration…does not come from pharmaceuticals or a dose of vitamins.  I marvel at the marketing success of alcohol ads on television.  In the commercials we see happy people enjoying adult beverages…while laughing and looking as if they just stepped out of a modeling catolouge.  Or a son is inspired to assist an elderly woman with her yard work and then enjoy a drink with his mom.  Or what about the advertisements for all inclusive vacations in Jamaica or other islands in the Caribbean?  One of the spots proudly announced that you can, ‘drink to your hearts content!’  The reality photos…are somewhat different from the air-brushed!

We do need and require inspiration.  We each have unique triggers to the activation of our adrenaline, and the positive firing of our synapse’s!  I am often inspired by the simplest of occurrences.  I have noticed, for sometime that I sing our hymns, out of our hymnal, on Sunday morning, very low.  I have discovered, recently, that my pew-mates…are doing the same.  If I get lost in the text…it is difficult to pick up the place by listening to my fellow congregants.  Yesterday, a sweet and lovely child sang beautifully and clearly and for all to hear. I was inspired!

Jonathon, along with several deacons and elders, was installed as an elder yesterday.  I am so very proud of both Aaron and Jonathon and the fine men that they have become.  Their mother did a wonderful job!

During my over 50 years of being a christian…I have been a member of churches that almost totally focused on preparing the congregation, for the world to come…and First Presbyterian church…which works to make a difference in the world that we live in.

How will a sad and lonely world receive a ‘spark’ or an understanding or a revelation…regarding the love of Christ…will it be through doctrine and rules and ritualistic process, that demonstrates Pharisaical adherence to the jot and tittle of the scriptures…or will it be through a kind smile and some quarters that enables one of God’s children…to wash and dry their laundry?