Back in 1986 when I resigned

from my job as a nurse at a family practice office where I had worked

for five years, my older son was elated.

"Great," was his

response, "now you can chaperone our FFA camping trip."

I had not heard about that

trip prior to making my announcement about resigning. I often wonder now

how much I missed during those years when I was so sure my kids were old

enough that they didn't really need me to be around all the time.

But we won't go there today.

There is something else I want to talk about. Or somebody else.

That somebody would be Paul

Grice. It was he and I who took 17 boys and three girls to north Georgia

that fall for the annual FFA camping trip. It was the adventure of a lifetime

for me and my first real glimpse into the life of this dedicated teacher.

On this trip, however, I only

began to get to know the man his kids affectionately called just plain

"Grice." Over the years I learned more about this wise and insightful

teacher.

Paul Grice knew how to let

kids be kids. Warts and all. He knew that growing up was hard and nobody

had all the answers yet, that each child was unique, and that where we

as parents and teachers failed them, nature would not.

So he taught his kids and there

were thousands of them over the years how to live, how to work with their

hands, how to survive and thrive. There was never any question about how

you could use what Paul Grice taught you "out in the real world."

He taught his kids to love

and appreciate nature and be alert to all the lessons it would continuously

teach them. Somebody else did that too. A long time ago. About 2,000 years

in fact. Much of the truth taught by Jesus Christ was in parables and

many of the truths hidden therein revolved around nature and the creation.

Another Paul of New Testament

fame took the teachings of Christ even further when, in his letter to

the church at Rome, he made it clear that the ungodly and the unbelievers

were without excuse when it came to recognizing God, "For since the

creation of the world, God's invisible attributes, his eternal power and

divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has

been made."

The Paul who penned those words,

as well as the Paul I remember today, would caution us once more I'm sure

even as beautiful as is the creation to look beyond it to the Creator

for comfort, courage, wisdom, guidance and eternal life. By the way, that

Paul also knew how to get down on the same level with those he longed

to teach.

For anyone reading these words

who may be worried about the present state of world affairs, who is unsure

of what tomorrow holds, who may be floundering or fearful, I want to pass

on one sustaining truth, a truth that Paul Grice sought to convey as well.

It is this: somebody loves you just like you are, will meet you right

where you are, and will work with you to become what you want and need

to be, not just for today, but for all eternity.

Grice taught his kids that

when he shared with them his love for nature. Perhaps he did so because

he knew he'd be gone one day and he wanted to leave his kids the tools

they would need to keep on learning.

Paul Grice didn't just tell

you to touch a leaf or smell a flower. He showed you how do it, and do

it often and well. And how to climb trees and mountains, both literally

and figuratively.

He made it clear if you didn't

get it right the first time that you must keep on trying. No, he didn't

just teach his kids how to keep climbing, he showed them right up until

what too many perceive as the end. In truth, the brain tumor was just

his door to the other side where adventure beyond compare was waiting.

Today, in this new climate

where we are starting to finally recognize the real heroes among us, I

invite you to remember those teachers, mentors or shining lights in your

life who have helped to teach you how to live. Not to just exist, but

to really live! Perhaps many of them have also crossed over to the other

side. As you recall their influence, try to imagine what folks will think

about you one day when you have gone on.

There's still time for you

to influence those future thoughts. Even if you don't think you owe it

to the Paul Grices of the world who dedicate their lives to helping you

learn how to live successfully, you owe it to yourself.

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