Dear Boo and Bubble,
Your genetic cauldron should come with a disclaimer. There’s no doubt you’re endowed with plenty
of personality – the list of characters in your lineage is endless. Obviously, you’re plenty intelligent – only
have to go back one generation to figure that out. The curiosity gene has already surfaced in
your young lives – especially when it comes to finding small objects lying on
the floor, an occurrence which triggers frantic counter measures to get to you
before the object finds its way into your mouth. At some point later on, the genes of empathy,
compassion, frolic, and adventure will surface – all noble indicators of an
anticipated full life.
But, if history repeats itself (as it inexorably does), you
will suffer a deficiency in one very important gene – humility. I’m not sure
when the humility gene began to peter out in the Bryant clan. No doubt by the time the Schaefer Kendrick
family unit formed, it had pretty much run its course.
Some say humility is a virtue. Not ever having had any, I can’t be the judge
of that. All I know is that without it,
you are defenseless against the temptation of self-promotion, the urge for
braggadocio, and the bottomless pit of want for recognition. (I must confess that when I post to this blog,
I wait in eager anticipation to see if anyone comments. When someone does, you’d think it was
Christmas around here!)
As your great uncle Gene grew up, he had a particularly hard
time with humility deficiency. Whenever
he did something noteworthy in his opinion, he made sure everybody knew about
it. At first, granddaddy Schaefer and
Mamaw Mary thought it was a phase, something he’d outgrow over time. By middle school, however, it became apparent
that this was not the case, so granddaddy decided to have an earnest
conversation with Gene.
“Son,” he said, “It’s really great that you are doing so
many good things. And, we’re very proud
of you. But, it’s so much better if you
let people realize this on their own.”
“Okay,” Gene replied.
“Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“I think so.”
“Yes, it’s good to let others brag on you rather than
bragging on yourself, don’t you think?”
“Uh, sure. Yeah, you’re right.”
The talk ended with granddaddy feeling confident his point
had been made.
Several weeks later, granddaddy went to the YMCA to pick
Gene up from football practice. He stood
on the sidelines watching the players complete their drills. A good friend named Judd Farr came up beside
him and the two men chatted amicably waiting for the practice to end. The
session finished and Gene, in shoulder pads and carrying his helmet, trotted over
to granddaddy and Judd.
“Son,” granddaddy spoke, “I’d like you to meet my good
friend, Judd Farr.’
Gene confidently stuck out his hand for a shake.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Gene,” Judd said.
“Thank you,” Gene responded.
“Looks like you had a good practice. What position do you play?”
This simple question from Judd created an unexpected dilemma
for Gene. He hung his head slightly as
he hemmed and hawed, digging an arc in the dirt with his cleats. Finally, he looked up.
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