In answer to the question, “What do you write about? “ I could say simply: friends since many columns fit that description, like this one. Actually it is about a new friend the son of two of my old friends.
The two are proud parents of three sons with roots that go way back to the early history of the county. The father, born on a Hayestown farm and who knew the ‘pleasure’ of having to work 6 days a week for the support of the family unit learned lessons from his parents that found a lasting home in his successful life. And yes, it takes two for a successful family, and he is doubly blessed in that area too.
The two once active in business, in their church and raising their three children rightfully bragging on their grands and great grands are now settled in their new home. Instead of a home with 3 bedrooms, a den, dining room, kitchen, deck, outbuildings, garden and a well maintained yard, they have downsized to a one bedroom living quarters but with a king sized bed commanding more than its share of the square footage. But they are ‘happy’ or at least pleasantly contented but naturally with some reservations when remembering things past. But such is life, as has been said, “Life, it’s one ‘danged’ thing after another.”- so even changing living quarters is not out of the question. Deal with it.
They have every right to brag on their family, all well educated with responsible jobs and with families where ‘All the children are above average. ‘ re Lake Wobegon. But this column is about one son whom I recently met for the first time when I visited with the couple at their new address. I can understand the pride these parents have of such a treasure.
This son and a grandfather himself currently living in Florida is now retired after a 6,000+ flying hours’ career of 32 years in the US Air Force as a pilot of the workhorse C-130 Lockheed Hercules, a four engine turbo prop transport aircraft deployed in several configurations to meet specific tactical situations. This officer, a full Colonel with a Citadel background, was the aircraft commander of a more sophisticated C-130, his job was to command one of the famous Gun Ships used so widely and effectively in recent armed conflicts around the world. But as impressive as all of this is, this is not what caught my attention. It was a two word answer to a question I addressed to him.
Now an administrator in a large metropolitan church with an impressive membership, staff and budget, the Colonel with his military leadership credentials surely meets the job description for his position and then some. In our talk, he mentioned some of his responsibilities in this position and answered my questions about the role of the church, its emphasis especially in its outreach and how it planned to meet the spiritual needs of a changing society. He was well versed in his replies especially his telling answer to one specific question I asked.
As a former military commander this new church administrator knows about leadership roles and about the chain of command. I asked him as a church administrator to whom did he answer meaning who was his superior or boss and he, without pause, answered succinctly: “Jesus Christ.”
There were no further questions.
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Bill Lee, PO Box 128, Hamer, SC 29547
