Dad

My dad was a country boy from southeast Missouri. His family was poor. His parent's divorce and the subsequent drama affected him deeply.  He grew up in a blended family. When that country boy grew up, he joined the Navy. After WWII, he became a preacher, went to college, was a missionary, and later became a professor at Oakland City College (now university). Dad loved teaching, he loved his students, he loved to read, he loved to study the Bible and history, and he loved OCC.

When I was in Oakland City, I found this bench on the campus dedicated to dad. It made me happy. He gave so much of himself to Oakland City College. It is nice to know in days to come, students will ask who Dr. Clifton Ford was.

And that has made all the difference

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Even when I was young, I loved Robert Frost's poem, "The Road Not Taken." At that time I'm sure I loved it for its vivid imagery and lilting meter. Now it is a testament to the many crossroads in my life. Choices that needed to be made.

While at my 35th Reunion this weekend, I sensed that others had done the same. Our future plans from back in 1976 were read. Many said they had done what they planned, but had moved on to other more pressing of life's endeavors.

Back in 1976, I wanted to go to college. I did that. I wanted sing. No maybe needed would be a better word. It is funny how different my life is from what I wanted back then. I wanted a career either singing or teaching. Children were important, but only in terms of my career.

I came to one of those crossroads and God called into something totally different. Totally wonderful and frightening and completely out of my control. I became a foster parent and quit teaching. 20 years have passed since that crossroad. It's not always been easy, but I can truly say that taking the path less traveled by has made all the difference.

Where did the time go?

As I get older, I find that time does indeed go faster. This past month has been a time of celebrations and remembrances. I turned 53 in late June, Ali and Stretch both celebrated their birthdays, and we celebrated our 25th Anniversary. Tomorrow, I am going to my 35th HS Reunion. Where did the time go?

I am reminded again that each day is a gift from God. Lord, help me use them wisely.