Blog 3319 – 12.04.2024

The Final Act

Many have ruined a fine career and marred a reputation that it took years to earn by failing to perform a supporting role in the final act of their play. The savior myth is one too many have bought into that only they could save the nation, the family, the business, whatever. Even the famous line “I will not go quietly into that good night” has been used to justify refusing to let go of power and preeminence.

Even John the Baptist who deserves credit for taking a backseat to his cousin Jesus when he said, “He must increase and I must decrease” still let his righteous indignation get the best of him when he foolishly castigated King Herod for taking his brother’s wife. That wife got her revenge by instructing her daughter to dance seductively before the king and curry his favor. When King Herod before a room full of important guests praised her performance by saying, “Ask anything up to half of my kingdom and I will grant it” she prompted by her mother said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist on a silver plate.” John’s last arrogant act definitely spoiled the ending of his play.

I learned yesterday that even good ole George Washington who established many precedents as the First President among them graciously surrendering power after two four year terms (a tradition that was honored till 1941 when FDR ran for and secured a third term and even was elected to a fourth term. Congress a few years later codified the two term limit for President) was not immune to to the temptation to seize and hold on to power. Washington even after he retired just could not keep his finger out of the pie. When war with France was imminent early in his successor John Adam’s first term, Congress asked Washington to be Commander in Chief of the Army and he accepted although that title and post belonged the the current President according to the Constitution.

It is hard for grandparents to see their role as supportive only and to recognize they are not in charge of their children lives anymore. It was always meant to be just a temporary custodial assignment as are all power positions. For a long time my dream retirement job was that I be a handyman, caretaker, on some rich person’s estate. That dream may be coming true as I may indeed get to be that for my very own son helping him develop, care for, and maintain his property holdings near Bon Wier, Texas. I hope to go up with him yet again tomorrow to help clear a trail down a fence line. I am glad and grateful to get to be his helper and happy to play a supporting role in making his dreams come true as a part of my final act.

Your friend and fellow traveler,

David White