Tomorrow marks the 92nd anniversary of the birth of Dorothy Fern Wilson.
Coincidentally, February 8, 2010 also marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. I recall the 50th anniversary of BSA in February, 1960 when I was a 13-year old scout in Troop 356 and thinking how that organization was founded on the same day as Mom’s birth and in the same year as Dad’s. I have long thought about where I might be and what I might be doing on 2/8/10. Well, here we are.
Dauna and I have been watching the HBO production of John Adams. I really enjoyed the book by David McCollough but particularly enjoy the movie version starring Paul Giamatti as John Adams and Laura Linney as his devoted wife and equal, Abigail Adams. Last night’s episode focused on the remarkable events surrounding the Continental Congress of 1775-6 that culminated in the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 2, 1776. (That’s right, July 2nd, as Kambria will happily inform you because that is her birthday.)
During the Congress, the debate was heated between John Adams, who was a delegate from Boston, and John Dickinson, one of the delegates from Pennsylvania. Dickinson was a Quaker and was much opposed to Adam’s advocacy for a break with Great Britain and a formal declaration of independence. After arduous months of debate and resistance, Adams was ultimately able to prevail.
I marvel at the incredible wisdom and vision of John Adams. His ability to look into the unknown and imagine an exceptional future for our country was so uncommon yet so essential. He knew that what he and others reached for required a remarkable leap of faith and a willingness to sacrifice everything for their children and future generations. The risks we balk at taking today pale by comparison.
This leap of faith is of the same quality as manifest in Hebrews 11 that cites how the great persons of the Old Testament were able to accomplish such exceptional feats. That quality of faith is manifest in the exquisite commitment each delegate made (“We mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”) in affixing his signature to that remarkable document.
Two of the other delegates instrumental in the creation of the Declaration were, of course, Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, and Benjamin Franklin who was a delegate from Pennsylvania, as was Dickinson. The third delegate from Pennsylvania was George Ross, a 46 year old jurist, and Mom’s 5th great grandfather. (Mom’s maternal grandmother was, of course, Arah Melissa Ross.) It is amazing to think that one of our progenitors sat in that room in Philadelphia and participated in the very events that gave birth to our Nation.
I was also profoundly touched by the great love and mutual respect that John and Abigail Adams showed for each other. Their unbounded love for their family and for their country and their willingness to sacrifice everything in such uncertain times made me reflect on how we have been infinitely blessed by their courage. Our own beloved parents were made from the same stuff as John and Abigail Adams. While their deeds were far less touted they were no less noble.
Let me close this somewhat rambling piece with an entry from Mom’s journal dated February 8, 1940, seventy years ago.
My birthday. I received an apron from my capsule friend, an apron from mom and dad and Mary had a party for me. Walt and Carl were here but Lawrence didn’t get to come down. I was terribly disappointed. Walt gave me a darling bracelet. We went to the farewell party for the Thomases at Richfield then came back to Marvelle’s and had cake, cocoa and peaches. I got home at 1:30 A.M., made two cakes.
I hope we can keep Mom (Grandma) in our thoughts on her special day. Please share any thoughts you would like about this remarkable woman.
Love,
Bruce
P.S. We will soon be sending something out soon regarding the Colorado festivities in August.
