Court House Philosopher

Towering sycamores shaded the court house on the old town square, And as usual on summer afternoons, hangers-on were gathered there. I joined them and sat on a bench with a grizzled old man, Wearing bib-overalls, John Deere cap, and a leathery tan. "Son, let me tell you a few things I've learned about livin'. Firstly, you ain't gonna git far if you ain't carin' an' forgivin'. An' you ain't gonna weather th' storms uv this turbulent life, 'Less you have a lovin', carin', an' forgivin' wife." "But this wife things works both ways, you understand. Treasure her, tell her you love her, an' always offer yer hand. Instruct yer kids an' grandkids in th' ways of th' Lord, An' jes' 'cause ever'body does it, steer 'em away frum that horde!" "I've labored long an' hard for whut little I've got, Farmin' on a shoe string on a hunderd-acre plot, Sufferin' hail, flood, th' blight an' many a killin' drought, But I ain't never asked th' guv'ment fer no free hand-out!" "My wife an' me skimped an' saved an' put two kids through college. I fought in th' Great War, an' that'll sure increase yer knowledge! Even though I've had my share of tribulations durin' my life's long span, I thank th' good Lord ever' day, for I'm truly a very blessed man!" Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired (© All Rights Reserved)