A few years ago a Buddy Bench was placed among the playground equipment at May Watts Elementary School. Every time I read the quote about friendship credited to Ralph Waldo Emerson that runs across the back of the bench, I’m reminded of our family’s visiting Concord, Mass., where American writer and lecturer Emerson is renowned for the life he lived there during the 19th century. As a leader in transcendentalism and social reforms, Emerson is likely best known for “Self-Reliance,” an essay that advises the reader to “Trust thyself.”
“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
I like to think I’m pretty independent and self-reliant. I don’t require much to be entertained. Of course, that comes with being misunderstood and wrong sometimes! Still, I often remind myself I’m not a sheep.
Emerson’s influence on Henry David Thoreau has been on my mind, too. Thoreau also lived in Concord and is best known for his small cabin and time spent on Walden Pond. The isolation that we’ve all experienced on some days during recent lockdowns prompted my thinking. The lockdowns interrupted our freedom and have been intolerable when tolerance of many points of view might have been a better way to deal with the unknowns of COVID-19. Thoreau enjoyed being alone and free. So that meant it was OK for all other individuals to be free and in charge of their lives, too.
Considering that it’s February, my folks Valentine’s Day anniversary has been on my mind, too. Plus, Purdue’s standing in the college basketball season always united us this time of year. Whenever the Boilers played on TV, I was convinced I could hear my dad’s enthusiastic coaching from Muncie all the way here in Naperville.
When my folks were still living (Dad died in August 2019 three years after my mother in 2016.), we’d often head to Muncie to spend a week with them during March Madness to cheer for Purdue and the Big Ten. One of the biggest compliments my dad ever paid me was, “You’re really a lot of fun to watch the games with.”
At any rate, those March visits also included playing bridge and trying to solve the world’s problems. Even before the pandemic, my dad felt our world had a few problems.
One book Dad encouraged me to read years ago was The Road to Serfdom by F.A. Hayek, complete with references to 17th-century philosopher John Locke who wrote Some Thoughts Concerning Education.
My dad inspired critical thinking around the dinner table. My two younger brothers and I listened and learned. I’ve always wished I read as quickly as Dad did. In today’s world, it’s oftentimes tough to stay on task with so many dings, rings and pings. I also wish I could trust all of the links to news that are sent our way. I’m no fan of hearsay. That’s another story.
Perhaps one of these days, more of us will appreciate faith in the can-do spirit and compassion of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Perhaps curious students at May Watts Elementary School will ask their teachers about the individual quoted on the back of the Buddy Bench.
—Stephanie Penick
