Milby Class of 1960: PHILOSOPHERS IN OUR MIDST

A Collection of Profound Thoughts Found on our Blog, gathered and published March 15, 2008

I have been doing some routine maintenance work on the blog that has required me to read through all of the comments. There are so many gems contained herein.

From the beginning of the blog I have greatly enjoyed the comments of Mike Roberts, expressed in his distinctive style of wit and wisdom. He has a folksy way of expressing some profound ideas. He took me back to Literature classes of old with the following thoughts. You know… those classes where we had to analyze a piece of writing, considering the parallels, metaphors, similes, analogies, etc. Where we had to search for hidden and deeper truths. When Mike sent these thoughts in reference to this blogging experience, I immediately recognized them as both clever and profound, and found them to be even moreso after I analyzed them with a critical literary eye (AHEM!!!). Take a few minutes to enjoy the beauty of his writing and consider the profundity of his thoughts.

LIKE DIRT AND OXYGEN …the musings of Mike Roberts

“Some things are forever, like dirt and oxygen…
While other things are NOW and THEN, like friends and memories.

We take the first scenario for granted…
Run out of one and wind up in the other.

As for the second scenario -
if taken for granted, friendships become stale
and are revived only by the thoughts of the past.”

WHOA!!! Take some time… read it again… let the message sink in. That’s really deep and beautifully expressed!

Sometimes Mike passes along the musings of others… on one occasion he wrote, “An acquaintance of mine wrote this in part of a message to his email list after the death of a mutual friend. I am always looking for the right words to give my children and grand babies that may give them knowledge and reasons to do better than average in whatever they attempt in life. This is something for NOW !!!”

THE SECRET OF SUCCESS

“Whenever someone musters the courage and resolve to live life as it was intended, without even trying he gives those around him permission to do the same. His example becomes their encouragement. We now know it's possible, because someone did it. And while we are sad that he is gone, we are glad that he lived his life on his terms, and by doing so, continues to encourage us to do the same.

The lessons for us are very clear. All we have is today. That is true whether we live another 40 minutes or 40 years. And if we take care of today, SUCCESS is well within our grasp. Today is all we have, but it's all we need. And finally, if we can find the courage and the discipline to live the life we were intended to live, right now, not later, then not only will we be blessed, but we will bless others, without even trying.”

Here are some shorter, but no less profound thoughts Mike has given us…

“I will never pass through a door, lock it, and throw away the key!”

“Who was it that said, ‘Be careful how you treat those you encounter on the way up the hills you climb, for they may be the very ones you will need assistance from on your way down.’?”

I get the impression that Mike is a daily visitor to the blog, and that he enjoys reading the comments of others as much as I do. I base this thought on Mike’s comment, “I cannot wait to get up in the morning, draw my first cup o' joe, and check the blog to see if one of the crew has made a new deposit.

Of course, there are other PHILOSOPHERS IN OUR MIDST…

Ray Prichard reveals his emotional nature very freely. Here are some of his thoughts…
“Fortunately, whenever I visited or phoned my father we always told each other I love you, hugged and gave each other a kiss. From my youngest memories that was the ritual when you came into his presence and whenever you were leaving. When I left him that last time, I leaned down and hugged him and kissed him and told him I loved him. I know he died knowing how much he was loved… I believe you should tell all of your loved ones you love them, every day, every time you talk. Life is too short and can be gone in an instant.”

Ray’s emotions - and his love for all of us - are also evident in this…
“I have a dear friend from my old airline days who doesn't believe in reminiscing about the past. I think he is so wrong. The past experiences that we lived through helped make each of us what we have become. Of all of my friends I have known in my lifetime, the friends of my childhood are the dearest to me. God bless us one and all and God bless the U.S.A.”

John Echoff wrote on Thanksgiving Eve: As I sit in my office and supervise the processing of some of the fine examples of the evolutionary process (like the 18 year old, charged with the murder of a cab driver) I am reflecting upon the Thanksgivings of the past. You remember when your mom was up all hours of the night to make sure the turkey was just right. The arrival of friends and relatives, the gigantic amounts of food served and consumed. Of course immediately after the meal it was time for the football game of all football games - the annual clash of Texas A&M and the University of Texas. How warmly I remember those wonderful days. If only we knew then what really lay ahead, I wonder how many of us would want to change something from those memories...”

Some of the PHILOSOPHERS IN OUR MIDST have given us shorter, but no less profound thoughts…

Paul Schrader wrote… “A new/old friend is the best!”

Linda Little Strickland wrote… “The words of love expressed in our blog make a heart feel warm. We are so far apart in miles, but entwined in memories and friendships of days long ago.”

Charles Simmons surely speaks for all of us who share life with a loving partner… “One thing I haven’t had enough of is Hilda. We’ve been together 39 years and have loved every minute of it. People ask me if I’m traveling during retirement. After I pick myself up off the floor from laughing so hard, I explain that I traveled the world in the Navy and spent four days out of every seven traveling with the airlines. A cup of coffee with my wife by my side and looking out on our patio works just fine for now!”

Would you care to respond to or enlarge upon some of these thoughts? Please feel free to do so with a comment below. Perhaps you would like to suggest other words of wisdom of a fellow classmate that might be included here. And be warned…I will continue to watch for other such nuggets of truth and precious gems to add to this post as more comments come in.

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