When old and young mix, both sides win.
That’s true even if the “old folks” officially defeat the kids, as happened Thursday during the Centralia High School alumni vs. varsity volleyball game, where the graduates came back from a 2-1 deficit to beat the students in five sets. (It’s not really accurate to call the alumni players “old folks,” though. In looking through the extensive photo gallery posted to chronline.com, they all look like kids to me.)
We need a whole lot more of this kind of connection in a world where there are so many divisions between generations, between city and country, between political persuasions and whatever other chasms afflict our society.
I take off my hat in appreciation for Centralia coach Marti Smith for bringing together students of today and yesterday. While I’m sure the game was a blast for both sides, it was also a chance to help students form connections with those who have come before, and an equally important opportunity for graduates to remain connected with students who are just entering adulthood.
Each gives encouragement and hope to the other.
The same is true even when it’s students on both sides of the generational connection.
On Friday morning the Bearcats of W.F. West High School headed over to James Lintott Elementary to welcome in the kindergartners on their first day of school.
Do yourself a favor and check out the photos on the Chehalis School District facebook page. There’s a little boy there, wearing a lizard t-shirt and a huge toothy grin, leaping through the air in excited delight with teenaged students applauding him and the other youngsters in the Class of 2037 as they enter their new school.
You see beaming Bearcats giving high-fives to students and burly football players holding the hands of these pint-sized kiddos as they head into school.
I don’t know whose smiles are bigger. This is a competition that strengthens our society and in which both sides emerge victorious.
Profundities
A few weeks back I was playing outside with one of my kids when we heard some strong language rising from folks across the way.
We got to thinking about alternatives to the vulgarities that often arise during times of stress, anger or frustration.
What if, instead of profanities, people tossed out profundities? Instead of four-letter words or insults, it might add some nice variety to drape a little philosophy on our animosity; some elegance on our not-so-subtle hints.
Hey, if you can’t intimidate your adversaries into silence, maybe you can at least confuse them.
We started brainstorming and came up with a few ripostes and creative expressions of vexation:
• I wish you’d make like the sound of one hand clapping.
• Like the deepest mysteries in life, what you are saying is completely beyond me.
• When two souls have met, there will ever be a bond between them, however slender. Let’s see how slender we can make our bond.
• You are a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma tucked into a real piece of work.
• A bull is full of moo / I tell you true / What you are full of / rhymes with “pee-yew.”
• I will never forget you, but I’d like to start trying.
• Our destinies are unknown and our paths lead from the heart / Wherever you end up going, it’s time for you to start.
• How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Hmm, that didn’t take long.
• You’ve heard of the sound of silence? What a coincidence. That’s what I’d like to hear from you.
• A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step onto the wrong bus.
• Hello darkness, my old friend. Looks like the light burned out again...
• Of troubles I’ve had some / I hammered on my thumb / That was dumb.
What might you add to this list of profundities?
Dad Joke of the Week
This is from our 19-year-old, who will make a great dad and teller of dad jokes someday.
Q: Why did the old man fall in the well?
A: He couldn't see that well.
Brian Mittge can be reached at brianmittge@hotmail.com
