The Evergreen Hippie

Gratitude, like napkins at mealtime, are the little somethings I attempt to attach to every kindness I am served in life.

It is a rare and beautiful gift of karma and grace to be re-given a moment in time wherein a neglected expression of gratitude can, some thirty years later, find the intended and deserving target.

My little sister Kate ran across Mr. Wesley Mathis, my Evergreen Jr High school English teacher, who my friends and I considered the coolest of all teachers breathing.

Wes Mathis was one of many teachers, coming up, who corrected and graded my spelling, my grammar, my syntax, my punctuation, and occasionally my behavior.

The greatness in him that I forever revere is one simple statement he made while looking me straight in the eye

"You can write" he said, "you should write".

I have neglected any talent I may have been gifted or given through the years by life's many delay tactics and easy excuses, but I never forgot those words and the love of writing they inspired.

I do not so easily express myself with the spoken word,

but Yes Wes I Can Write! good or bad I Can Write!

Wes, my teacher and friend, may the spirit who carries your torch guide your journey, safe and strong, to a destiny at least the equal of destinies you've inspired

and that, I pray for you, be heaven.

Thank You!

-Hermit King-

Resolution

Let us vow as one to build better memories for our children—memories that show we have overcome some of the worst economic and sociological meltdowns in history. Memories that prove we have ended long-entrenched cultures of shameless lust for power and greed. Unified, despite seemingly endless cycles of partisan political stalemate. Raised neither voice nor hand against another whose only threat was difference. Let us drown out the painful cries of our broken, addicted, and destitute masses with shouts of life, assistance, and love.

Remember, as children, we see the world first through our parents' eyes. We must clearly recognize the mistakes of our folly and gift a new vision to those who follow. We can no longer shuffle the difficulties of our days into darkness, for this only builds and strengthens the dark. We must create true strength by facing each day with the hardship and honor of honest work.

We must rekindle our national pride as we tirelessly face the world with the unflinching force of our grace and intelligence, rather than with knee-jerk dogmas of fear or the cold barrels of national wrath. We must come to an understanding of our human diversity and gratefully celebrate its many opportunities to expand the borders and definitions of what is "acceptably human."

Turn from tyranny and paranoia. Risk allowing a global bloom of trust in the reality of a peaceful higher power. Focus solely on the ascent of humankind, not on its Armageddon. Seek a higher power, undefined by the divisive variables of myriad ancient texts; rather, seek divine powers, often dormant, born in every human soul.

Allow a drop of hope, a wellspring of faith, rivers of patience, and oceans of joy to be that power—no higher earthbound powers needed. Allow the dream of such greatness and potential for change to abide in ourselves and our fellow man. Believe it is not too late to battle back from the brink of a world lost to the anarchy of savage rule. Know that with fierce resolve and purity of commitment, we can turn, sacrifice, labor, and climb into the loving embrace of greener gardens and reign once more in the Eden of old.

-Hermit King-