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Words
By Robert C. Raymond, New Hartford
Words are interesting possessions. Everyone seems to have a few that define his or her life. Words do not stand alone, however. Meanings are attached to their sounds, and meanings provoke thought. However, belaboring the incident of our human language is not the reason for this article. The way words are currently used and understood, nonetheless, is.
Trust, which includes belief, is of paramount importance when words are used by human beings. Since human existence in many ways depends upon presented words and their meanings, it is imperative that we "say it right." Significantly, then, words are basic to the human experience, and basic to its continuance.
I will grant that there are ways one can make statements other than with words, but they are limited in scope. I knew a lovely lady who claimed: "Everything that's important can be said with flowers."
"Flowers can't talk!" I replied, testily.
"No," she countered, "but even in their silence a meaning comes through with the presentation. Isn't that what talk is all about—conveyed meaning?"
"And action as well?" I added. She nodded. "Well, what about a funeral wreath—where is the action? It's too late!"
She sighed with patient resignation. "Yes." She then announced in a loud voice: "But I was thinking more on the lines of a bouquet for someone, on her birthday!" This statement was aimed at Dad, and Dad knew it. Knowing that he had already bought Mother a fine bouquet and a lovely corsage for church on Sunday, he feared that I would spill the beans and mention it. To preserve the surprise he had for her, Dad immediately turned to me and said, "Did you hear that, son? Why don't you listen to your mother?" Like all dads, he could be resourceful and quick at times. And so he was then.
Well, what would weddings be without those gossiping flowers? It has been confirmed that a bunch of flowers (even wilted ones) offered by a lover to soothe a lovers’ spat can work wonders, especially if accompanied by poetry. Oh, if life could only be so simple.
But humanity is faced with the need for a more serious proclamation. Consider the fact that what's important for tomorrow must begin today. What is being said to your children will surface, in action, in the future. By the same token, present action perceived by children will influence the action taken by them in the future. Bear in mind that thoughts conceive visions and visions initiate plans. Plans—with words—then impel people into action.
Children, as a rule, do not interest themselves in world affairs. A fleeting glimpse of the Middle East conflict, for example, goes unnoticed by them—there is no teddy bear content. This is as it should be. Children at the tender ages should not be subjected to hypothetical or abstract problems of this nature; they are just not ready or equipped for adult situations. As children progress, however, their natural curiosity will arouse interest in the world they are about to enter, and you will know that by their questions.
The intention of this article, then, is to benefit older children, and their parents. If it throws light on the callous market society we have engineered for ourselves, perhaps they can do something about it, in their time. Business is fine, money is important, but so is the peace necessary for the enjoyment of both. Is it solely an issue of a madman and his weapons of mass destruction, or is it oil wells and mad billionaires? If we can play god and develop a clone, why can't we, in God’s name, prevent wars?
Friends have asked many times why my wife Ann and I fight so hard for our children and the children of the world. We both like kids, but there is more to it than that. Children are the future of the human condition in the communities of the world. Specifically, the world's people must coalesce—if for no better reason than for mutual security. In that respect, the job description for those living in this world should not include suffering from war. Saying this, however, will not make the suffering go away. So how can we change, or at least reduce, the causes that initiate and sustain war? This is not an impossible task, just an old and irksome one.
First, a small step towards a big thing: there are some battles that must be won that are closer to home. There are those here in our own community who, for money, are willing to turn lovely towns such as New Hartford into a garbage heap of commercial excess. They have various tools—one being their total knowledge of building codes, variances, etc.; another being access to town records. We as citizens have a right to that same information, but how many of us have the time or the inclination to dig into town records, court proceedings or other pertinent information that governs our well-being? That is why we hire people, and we pay them our precious one vote, and a salary, to do the job for us.
We live in a beautiful area with trees, parks, waterways and rivers. In New Hartford we have an excellent town hall, a neighborly citizenry and sturdy old houses. We certainly are blessed, but we are indeed in danger of losing what we have. There are those who are developing weapons of mass CONSTRUCTION! Answer truthfully now: Would you really like to see your main street become as cluttered and commercialized as is the case in some nearby towns?
Think about what you would be leaving your children as an inheritance. "Big box" construction is not progress. New taxes don't seem to generate that much revenue; if they did, Home Depot would have solved our tax problem. It apparently hasn't, and we allowed Home Depot into New Hartford under that very argument.
I have to stop writing now, because I am getting too hot under the collar. I love this town and the people in it, and it makes me angry to see the quiet encroachment of "big box" and other real estate want-to-be moguls. Not to worry, there are ways to stop this insipid infiltration. We are not alone. See, for example, two articles that appeared in The Voice on November 22: "Kidhood Memories of Trees" by Judy Pavlak of Winsted; and "Recreation Complex an Unnecessary Expense" by George Nashe of Harwinton.
Cheers!
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