Thursday, July 20, 2023

Good Samaritan Neighbors

 

By G. E. Shuman

 


The story of the good Samaritan is from the Bible. It is what is known as a parable, which is a story told for the purpose of making a point; of getting people to consider someone’s motivation for their actions. The parable of the good Samaritan was told by Jesus himself, to his followers.

The good Samaritan was simply a man from Samaria, who, in the story, saw another man in dire need, and just decided to help. The other man was literally dying in a ditch on the side of the road. He had no possessions, and seemingly no hope. The man desperately needed help; help which was not offered by others who passed his way. Some passers-by actually crossed the road to avoid him. The point of the parable was answered in a question. Jesus asked the people which person was neighbor to the man. The answer to this seemingly obvious question was that the neighbor was the one who helped.

I’ve been reminded of this parable over and over as I’ve traveled through downtown Barre and Montpelier these days following the flood. What I have seen in those cities are people, homes, and businesses in dire need, but also many people, many neighbors, many good Samaritans, who simply want to help and are doing just that.

 I have seen everything from school groups, church groups, FEMA workers, and a Billy Graham Evangelistic Association spiritual counseling vehicle offering help. Tents have been put up in parks and on library lawns to offer food and water to anyone in need. Al’s Fries was serving free food today to the downtown Montpelier relief workers. In short, the response to the needs of our area has been heartwarming and overwhelming.

In addition, many individuals have been seen shoveling mud from ditches, taking food to those in need and just helping in countless other ways. One of my wife’s friends recently baked 32 loaves of bread for people being sheltered at the Barre Auditorium. How great is that? Farms have provided vegetables; supermarkets have donated hundreds of packs of water and many other things.

One early act of kindness was experienced by my daughter Emily, who needed to take a detour from a battered Rte. 2 a few days after the flood. Tired from a long day at work and facing a long ride home, Em passed Hill House Farm and stopped to see a small sign put up beside a little table holding bunches of beautiful flowers. The sign read: ‘FREE FLOWER BOUQUETS, TO BRIGHTEN HARD DAYS.’ Wow! What a perfect example of good Samaritan thinking. Thank you, Hill House Farm, for brightening my daughter’s day!



These and many other neighborly acts are already improving the flood-affected areas of Vermont. Little by little, we will get our state back, physically, to where it was before the storm. In the areas of emboldened faith, realized blessings, and bolstered community spirit, we may already be better off than ever before.

My wife read a quote to me the other day which said: “There are decades when nothing happens, and weeks when decades happen.”  How profound and pertinent that thought seems right now.  

The parables of Jesus never get old, even in weeks when decades happen. I’m thankful that the spirit of the good Samaritan is alive and well in Vermont!

I would like to express heart-felt thanks to everyone involved in the recovery of our great state. Your efforts are not unnoticed. To those who HAVE noticed, please write to me at vtwordsmith@gmail.com with words of special ‘good Samaritan’ efforts you have witnessed. I’d like to share them here in future columns.

God Bless Vermont and her MANY Good Samaritans!

Thursday, July 6, 2023

After The 4th.

 


By G. E. Shuman

 

Monday evening, July 3rd, Lorna and I made our way over to the State House lawn in Montpelier for something that used to be a never-miss family tradition. We went there for the music, the sights, the fireworks, and the general celebration of Independence Day, as we had done seemingly countless times before. In recent years, mostly due to the pandemic and factors surrounding that, we had not attended the celebration. In fact, I think it has been five years or more since we had been in our capital city to celebrate the 4th, (on the 3rd as it is always done there.)

I must tell you; I was so impressed this year. We almost passed on going over as the weather was ‘iffy’, but went anyway; our daughter Emily and her family were going to attend for sure. (George, make a mental note: If you’re ever caught with such a decision again, do the ‘go anyway’ thing again.) The music, the vendors, the excitement of the evening was all there, just as it used to be. In fact, I didn’t remember it being so much fun before. Little children danced to the great, upbeat tunes of a wonderful live band. So did teens, young adults, and older folks. I saw one man, likely in his eighties, wearing an old Star Trek shirt, palm-tree-embellished pants, and a wild hat, almost dancing with the cane he was using to get around.

One thing that truly struck me was just how many different types, ages, ethnicities, purposes, and other things I can’t put my finger on, were represented in the vast crowd there. There were what I would describe as old ‘hippies’, (I kind of identify with them, but not completely. I’ve never known why. Maybe it's the music.) There were tattoo-covered bodies, families with young children, babies, conservatives, liberals, (I am assuming,) and even a group of white-clad Navy sailors manning a booth and mingling with the crowd. Not to mention there was a great assortment of pets, mostly dogs, that were brought to the show. Everyone seemed to be having a blast! It was simply fantastic!

I will admit that there was a time in my life when I might not have appreciated some of the people I saw there on Monday night. That is to my discredit. Certainly, I would still not agree with every opinion embodied on that great lawn that night. But that’s okay. I have learned slowly over the years, sometimes the hard way, that I am nobody’s judge. Not even a little bit.

I came away from that Monday night with a strong realization that differences really are what make us that breed known as Americans, as they always have. What I had witnessed once again was a great coming together of every type and stripe of person imaginable, in the city’s yearly celebration of what makes our country so special. Namely, it’s independence; granting each of us the freedom to be, to dress, to express, and to live as we please.

My own position is that God, in His great mercy, kept the rain away Monday night, and provided a cool breeze, a big crowd, and even a rainbow before the sun set. Then the city of Montpelier treated us to an awesome and awe-inspiring fireworks show.  

I must remember next year, if the weather is ‘iffy’, to go anyway! 

A very happy “after the 4th” to you and yours.