This month, I fear I will be rambling even more than usual. So many things rattle around in my head these days, so I’ll just gather some of this gray matter into an article.
“What have you done for us, recently?” is an all too common question often directed at my generation. That is, if the question is posed at all. As a whole we are generally prone to forget the contributions our elder generation has made. That’s why I have been so eager to promote local history projects and to encourage institutions and organizations to research their heritage so that the work of earlier generations can be celebrated.
As the passing months take me closer and closer to a nursing home, I realize I am still in my own home because of the enormous support and encouragement of friends and family. So, I’m not speaking for myself now, but rather for the many whose contributions have been forgotten. I especially have performers and musicians in mind.
I offer some anonymous words that hopefully make my point:
A young man asked an elder,
"What have you done for me today?”
“I’m slaving away at this pile of rock,
while you just sit there wasting away.”
…
The elder stirred, and reminded the youth,
squinting over his aged shoulder,
“When I was young, your pile of rock
was a veritable mountain of boulders!
“May your children labor only over pebbles
that come from these
