June 15, 2003

COLUMBUS: This is Father’s Day. In 1930, “I” proposed the following for Father’s Day. “No flowers, no fuss, just let him use the car himself and go where he wants to. But we will never live to see such a contented day.” (DT #1183, May 11, 1930)

To that list for 2003, I would add, “no rain, no spam.”

Christopher Reeve was here Friday for a graduation speech. He reminded the students of some of the discouraging news they may have missed lately (cheating CEO’s, Catholic priests, New York Times reporter, Sosa’s corked bat) then challenged them to “maintain your integrity in a culture that has devalued it.”

He told them “you have already learned compassion for your fellow human beings,” and “you don’t need to break your neck to learn the value of living consciously.”

After the speech he visited the folks at the university rehab clinic that’s been serving accident victims for forty years. He was speaking with a dozen or so patients in wheelchairs, but their doctors and physical therapists and a few others were listening in. He encouraged them to do what the physical therapists advise, work harder, go farther, lift more and “exercise to keep your body healthy for the time when all parts are working again, and drink plenty of cranberry juice.” He implored them to have the “mental attitude to keep working, don’t give up and don’t accept limits.”

As I pondered over his comments I wondered, could any of us so-called able bodied folks ever receive any better advice? Christopher Reeve, an actor worth listening to.

Our preacher this morning quoted Art Linkletter, “It’s better to be a super dad than a superstar.” Listening to Mr. Reeve I would add, “It’s better to be a super person than a Superman.”

I’ll keep this short so you can get back to Hillary’s Memoirs.

Historic quotes from Will Rogers:

“When you put down the good things you ought to have done, and leave out the bad ones you did do, well, that’s Memoirs.” Saturday Evening Post, March 12, 1932

“If you ever injected truth into politics you would have no politics.” WA #31, July 15, 1923