A perspective

Ted. On November 4, 1952, Dwight Eisenhower was elected president of the United States. Three days later, I was born. Coincidence? Not really. My point is that I have been alive during the administration of 14 presidents; 7 Democrats and 7 Republicans. The political pendulum tends to swing back and forth in my country on a regular basis and politicians are consistently punished at the polls when they wander too far afield. 

This past, Saturday, November 7 was my 74th birthday and I am doing a bit of reflecting. The US midterm elections, held a week ago have proven, once again, that, creaky as it sometimes appears to be, the US ship of state continues to sail on regardless of how stormy the seas may be. I love how Jon Meachem, Pulitzer Prize winning author and historian recently put it, “…the Democratic victories are evidence that the battered heart of American democracy is still beating.” 

I began my birthday by attending a monthly breakfast meeting of my church’s men’s group. There were 16 of us and we reflected a range of ages, sexual preference and political persuasion. The talk was not of the election on Tuesday. Instead of politics, we spoke of the health of our church and our friends - all very good at the moment. We discussed our families, travel and a even a little bit of college football.

Later in the day, Judy and I took a six mile hike at a nearby park and enjoyed forest bathing amidst glorious weather and fall colors. 

We finished the evening with our daughter, her husband and their two sons who prepared a delightful meal for me. The love was palpable. 

Grandson Caedmon with his Dad, Daniel

Do I worry about what the future will be like for my four grandsons? Not really. Sure, they are growing up in a world filled with rapidly changing technologies, economic uncertainties and worldwide political instability. But they are being raised right, and they know that they are loved. I do not doubt for one minute that they will thrive, come what may. And 74 years from now... this will still be a beautiful world.