| Thanks to the GPC teens who could make it...For all you GPC teens who worked so hard in the heat and humidity of a record-breaking hot day at the Mathwins and Dodds...many thanks. It probably need not be said that Virginia Dodds and Mr. & Mrs. Mathwin were very touched by your positive attitudes, warm spirit and hard work you all willingly did for them. And we know that others would have been there, had they been able to arrange it. We're looking forward to you being with us on the next "outing". Indeed, I can hear the words taken from Shakespeare's "St. Crispin's Day Speech" when, in years to come, you proudly recall - and probably embellish upon - the events of that day. Other people throughout Gainsville will say:
O that we now had here but ten teens from this town that do no work to-day! That they would be like those teens from GPC!
You teens who worked so hard that hot summer's day will say:
What are the people of Gainsville wishing for?
My fair teen friends...
If we are mark'd to work hard in the heat and humidity to
death then so be it;
And if to live, the fewer of us that remain, the greater share of
honour that we share.
God's will! I pray thee, wish not one teen more to work with us.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold...,
Such outward things dwell not in my desires.
But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive.
No, my friends, don't wish for more teens from GPC. God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour
As to share it with one teen more than what we have now.
O, do not wish one more!
Rather proclaim it, our friends,
That he which hath no stomach to this work,
Let him depart; his ride shall be provided;
We would not work and sweat in that person's company
That fears his fellowship to sweat with us.
This day we recall - helping the members of our church in the
heat of the summer day.
He that outlives this day, and comes safely home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is recalled.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'Tomorrow is the day I toiled for our GPC family.'
Then will he or she strip their sleeve and show their scars,
scrapes, bug bites, broken finger nails and wrinkled dishpan
hands,
And say 'These wounds I won on that summer's day.'
Old men forget; yes all shall be forgot.
But we'll remember, with advantages,
What feats we did that summer's day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in everyone's mouth as household words-
Rebecca and Laura, Bethany and Megan, Kurt and Tracy,
Daniel and Jeremy, Ronja and Jennifer, Andrew and Melanie -
Be ever freshly rememb'red.
This story shall the good parents teach their children; from
which young ones will learn and seek to follow.
And ne'er shall a summer go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered -
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers & sisters;
For those to-day that shed their blood with us
Shall be brothers and sisters; be they ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle their condition.
And teenagers in Gainsville now-a-bed or on-line
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their adulthoods cheap whiles any speaks
That work'dt with us upon this summer's day. I'm sure that the 101F temp, high humidity, large butternut trees, pervasive honeysuckle, tall shrubs and bugs will get bigger, taller, meaner and more numerous with time!! You're a fun bunch to work with! We're not here to be served, but...to serve...and to be an example. Charge on! |
