Making a List, Checking it Twice thewannabesaint Not long ago a gentleman, 89 years of age, came clean and returned a library book which was more than seventy years overdue! Mark McKee, from Mount Clemens, Michigan, is returning a book 76 years late. In 1934, the 13-year-old McKee checked out “A Dog of Flanders” by English author Marie Louise de la Ramee from the Mount Clemens Public Library. According to the Associated Press, “McKee, now 89, said he discovered the book and mailed it to the library. “I was entranced by the book and kept it with my prized possessions, intending to return it forthwith,” McKee wrote in an accompanying letter. “Thus began a 76-year odyssey of missed opportunity and intention.” McKee, who is a former publisher of The Macomb Daily, said he found the book among his possessions and wanted to do the right thing. “My conscience took over,” wrote McKee, who is now a winter resident in Chandler, Arizona. Library Director Donald Worrell Jr. said he was thrilled to get the package from McKee. “He spent a great amount of time in here,” Worrell said. “He was very supportive. He was very generous to the library.” In his letter, McKee said he estimated the fine on a book overdue for 76 years could total thousands of dollars. But Worrell said McKee doesn’t have to worry, there won’t be a fine. “We figure the story is better than the money,” Worrell said. Instead, Worrell said he plans to put the book and letter on display at the library and to send a fresh copy of the book to McKee.” “We had a kettle; we let it leak: Our not repairing made it worse. We haven’t had any tea for a week… The bottom is out of the Universe.” ― Rudyard Kipling Stories such as this one allow us opportunities to reflect upon an overdue apology and/or restitution we need to make. In this season of gift giving we have lists of those for whom we need to buy things. We purchase the present and then cross off the name. What if there was a list of apologies we needed to make? While apologies are rarely as neat as gift buying and name crossing it is important to acknowledge and atone when we have harmed someone. Apologies, which come from a sincere regret of poor choices, missed opportunities and misplaced intentions, are not easy. One of the reasons for not repenting of our mistakes is the unknown expense. When we are buying gifts we usually make a budget and then spend accordingly. Not so with apologies. Depending upon what we’ve done, when we did it, and what has happened since, the price of owning up to our misdeeds can become steep and cost us dearly. The question becomes, “are we willing to budget the expense?” Too often our list of apologies are those we deserve not ones which we need to give. What if this year we trashed that list and decided it is truly better to give than receive. “The acknowledgment of our weakness is the first step in repairing our loss.” Thomas a Kempis ___ blessings, bdl
Posted on: Tue, 03 Dec 2013 21:26:24 +0000