Missing the Message

          Upon completion of man's first powered flight, the Wright Brothers dashed off to share their joy with their sister Catherine. Wilbur and Orville sent the telegram "We have successfully flown 120 feet. We will be home for Christmas." Catherine immediately rushed off to show the telegram to the editor of their city newspaper. The editor gave it a quick glance and remarked "So the boys are coming home for Christmas."

          It is easy to filter out an important message. As another holiday season winds down, clerics and Jimmy Stewart once again attempt to remind us to consider what is important. I would encourage our gentle readers to reflect on what is valuable and meaningful in our own daily lives. These things are so easy to filter out. Are we simply hauling stones, or are we building a cathedral?

          It may be self-evident that I am a student of history. While we should be informed by history, we also should be aware that our collective choices are shaping the course of our nation and are producing a legacy for future generations.

          Amidst the statuary of the original House chamber, Clio, the Muse of History, writes in the Book of History as her chariot inexorably surges forward. In the 1830s, someone placed a clock at the base of the elevated form. It still keeps accurate time. Legislators were meant to glance up to see the present time and for a moment consider what was being written into the Book of History.

          We too are part of history, and we too will be judged by history. How will this time look in times to come? Please pause for a moment during this holiday season to reflect on what is important, what has been built, what we have built, and what we would want to build, now and for future generations of Americans. Their future is in our present hands.