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This column is dedicated to acknowledging examples of positives that express the community spirit of Columbus – our town.
It happened before the pastor approached the pulpit. I casually eavesdropped on the conversation going on in the the pew behind me. My friends, Skip and Jo, were discussing Skip’s vacation. Of course, I listened carefully as I wanted to find out Skip’s destination. I decided that I had to find time to discuss this after church. The word “vacation” brought to mind several topics. There is a long standing discussion at our house. It pertains to vacation with a motor home RV. It just so happens this discussion is nearly always one sided. I’m telling you this to let you know that the rv discussion has not promoted a decision about a “Stiles vacation”. Simply put, traveling any distance as a handicapped person can be challenging. This leads to no easy solution for Bob and me. As I thought about Skip’s vacation, my feelings took a “dip”. I really doubted any further discussion about vacation at our house. Maybe that’s why I wanted to hear about Skip’s. Skip is Farmer Bill Brozowski’s wife.
After the last hymn, I asked Skip to stay behind and talk to me about her trip. Our discussion picked up amost immediately. Skip’s destination was upper New York where she grew up. Even more delightful, upper New York meant the Finger Lakes Region. “Skip” (Katherine Bennett) grew up near Cayuga Lake. Her vacation is a visit to her sister, Lindy Wolf. Lindy lives in the family home that their father pretty well built around them. The sisters will play cards, pinochle, and enjoy reviewing old photos. The are usually several festivals in the area. This traditional trip occurs annually and it is a treat! Skip is eager to go every year as Lindy is 91 years old. Lindy does not drive, but has a faithful friend who calls daily and offers to even bring Lindy an ice cream cone. As I pictured this time in the Finger Lakes, it whetted my appitite to travel, so later Sunday, with the Finger Lakes in my head, I very casually brought up a “vacation” without an RV. My vacation dream was Brimfield, MA, home of one of the world’s finest antique fairs. Brimfield is only 60 miles from Boston, next door to Sturbridge, MA. Our history with Brimfield was created with 25 trips from Texas, so a trip without an RV will be tedious but with great reward. Lindy’s friend, whose practices of good will, reminded me of the ‘good willers” in my life. It’s dangerous to make a list, but I’m going to take the risk. Thank you Florence, Terri, Mary, Missy, Ann, Julie, Robyn, and Doreen. God Bless you all. If this seems like a little sermon, let it be.
Our community has an abundance of thoughtful people. When visiting South Africa, we learned the people’s response to ‘Thank You” was the word “Pleasure”. Why don’t you consider giving little gifts of “good will” this week and when thanked, respond “PLEASURE”.
