Cherokee Landing
Middleton, TN
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Dear Ones,
In an alternative time, we would be writing this from I-70, after saying good bye and thank-you to the Larrisons of Champaign IL whom we love and see far too little of, but floods in the north central part of these United States caused us to take a more southern route which brought us to Shiloh Battlefield National Park. Fought April 6 & 7, 1862, the 23,700+ casualties from this battle showed the Union that war is hell and often long, and the Confederacy realized it would take more than a vision of States Rights to stop the war: they needed way better communication. General Grant’s goal was to capture and then use the railroad crossing at Corinth MS. The C.S.A.’s goal was to wipe out Grant. “It seemed so simple on paper.” (Shiloh by Shelby Foote) But nothing ever goes as planned. Ironically, the reason the battle turned out as it did and why we found ourselves weeping at Shiloh instead of laughing with the Larrisons was the same: one rarely factors in the weather.
It seems so simple on paper. “We the people of the United States…” is carved on the stone at the head of the fountain-sculpture-garden at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center where one is immersed in the flow of compromises and underlying harsh realities that lead to the war of 1860-1865, that, in some hearts has never ended. Would that I could bring Senators Obama and McCain to this somber pool in the heartland of the deep south to reflect alone together on the task they each want to make their own: to lead our country out of recession, out of war, into the future.
That future belongs to the Larrison children and their cousins who sat respectfully thru Merri and Geoff’s wedding ceremony then played and danced at the reception as their hosts had hoped they would. We spent the few days before the Big Day with M & G and, as they put the finishing touches on lawn and wedding flowers, we basked in the warmth of their love. No kidding. They laugh … a lot. And when they’re not laughing they’re patient with each other. (The sunny, high 60’s, April in Massachusetts complimented them. Merri always has the weather she needs.)
The Monday after the wedding Art and I walked the pier at Plymouth Harbor, took stock of our own humor and patience and surprised each other with the memories of the times in the past 35 years we’ve independently and together recommitted ourselves to our marriage. Saints we are not, but we’ve learned to use our resources (you) and to pay attention to our good and gracious God when we don’t see eye to eye. Would that our nation could do the same.
Someone sent me a “Forward” that suggested the Fourth of July should be celebrated by honoring the men and women who have died for our liberty. Let’s all do that. Why don’t all y’all read the Declaration of Independence, the Pre-amble of the Constitution and then “Party – Harty” as we will at the 30th anniversary of the Escapees RV Club in Gillette WY.
Peace and good_________,
Beth
No comments:
Post a Comment