Isn’t it funny the small stories that you remember growing up? Sometimes Mom and Dad will tell stories of trips, visits, and events that I have no recollection; yet I remember random, small events that seem meaningless. Or are they? Some of the lessons I have learned come from those very events.
Growing up, we were very special friends with the Rumph family. Betty Rumph lost her husband at a very young age and raised 2 fabulous children, Jay and Julie, as a single mom. After church on Sunday, we would find ourselves with the Rumphs at a steakhouse in Oak Ridge. It was one of the highlights of my week. Every week, Jay would order the same meal - always accompanied with french fries. For those of you who know my Dad, he LOVES french fries. It was a weekly event for Dad to reach over and grab some of Jay’s french fries. It was not long before Dad was identified as “The French Fry Monster.” Typical children will reach for the ketchup to smother the fries, but not Jay. He liked to spice them up in a different way. When the french fries arrived, he would immediately ask for the A-1 Sauce. Looking back, I wonder if that was his way of trying to save his french fries from the “The French Fry Monster.” If so, I don’t recall it working. Dad found that combination fascinating! Dad was always impressed that he chose to eat his fries in a different way. Jay thought outside the box and spiced up an otherwise simple food. Somehow, the A-1/ French Fry Monster combination created a special bond between a Rabbi and a boy. As time moved forward, Jay and Dad became hiking buddies, and he still remains special to my Dad today.
For those of you who know us well, you know that Kristina Pearce Haury holds a very special place in the heart of my family. We were inseparable growing up. Krista and I were dedicated members of the FBC youth choir and Clinton High School chorus. We loved to sing….and at the time, we thought we sounded fabulous! Krista always accompanied us on our annual Spring Break trip to the beach. On the 7 hour ride to the beach, we thought we would bless Mom and Dad with the gift of voice. We thought we would spare them the torture of listening to rock music on the radio. So, being the thoughtful teenagers we were, we decided to give them a free concert of our musical repertoire….all in ALTO. No melody, only the flatline, tedious, monotone of alto. While we thought we sounded angelical, I’m sure that we did not even do justice to alto. To this day, Dad remembers these trips as being torture. Being the fabulous father that he is, he never said a word. He let us sing. He now describes that event as one of the most painful experiences of his travels!
Sam Dean has always been a proponent of enjoying the spice of life. For those of you who know him well, you can see why he loved the A-1 sauce, but found alto in isolation to be unbearable. Alto is an important piece to the overall musical production. However, by itself, it is horrific. It does not provide the same enjoyment as when all the the musical parts are sung together. It takes the alto, soprano, tenor, and bass working together, each mastering their own craft, to make a beautiful musical performance. The same is true for life. We all have our own voices, talents, and interests. However, if we were all the same, what a boring place it would be! It is in our variety that we bring beautiful harmony to the world. Our individual differences are the A-1 sauce that provide flavor to churches, workplaces, and communities. The Baptist Rabbi has never demanded that people embrace his interests or beliefs. He has always encouraged each person to embrace the individual that God calls them to be. He has never been threatened that it will be different than him. For it is important that we all sing our own part, but be willing to do it along with others to create a beautiful harmony of community. Thank God for A-1 sauce and for the ability to move beyond alto and enjoy the magnificent harmony created when we come together as a community of faith, each singing our own part and embracing the differences in notes that are sung.
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