Passin’ of the Torch

I often take a bit of time to ponder on happenings of the day and at my weight and age, surprises do occur. Some might say that I could hide my own Easter eggs. In fact, when I take the opportunity to look through my storage area, I often find items that had been safely put away to slowly become obscure as time goes by, only to cause a pleasant thrill upon being discovered while another object may have been the subject of a search. I remember my folks talking about a neighbor that was a teacher and had in his later years been known to forget where certain objects had been placed. They often called him “the absentminded professor.” And that is who he was to the whole community. It was his claim to fame, and the title suited him just fine. As time goes by, everyone eventually has their moment of fame, only to eventually give up that title as someone else steps up. That is what this poem shows. Old Father Time appears at the end of his tenure to help a fledgling young sprout come on the stage and begin his yearly reign. Those of us with advanced age hopefully will be able to assist the younger, soon to be leader, become acquainted with the drill as he takes the reins and advances his agenda. Folks, that is called “passin of the torch”!

Happy New Year! Passin’ of the Torch Well sir, time had come an’ he had this to do,

His work most done an’ the range showin’ shortgrass, It had been a good run, now to bring in the new, An’ he reckoned he could make it come to pass, There was a calm peaceful look on his weathered face, As he contemplated the world around him,

The course was tough, but he would complete his race, Even though the outlook had been sorta dim.

Yeah, there had been some tedious times at the start, An’ it took faith in the Lord an’ shore ‘nuff grit, Truth is, it often required naught but pure dee heart, See, the cowboy code gives strength to “Never Quit.”

But, he’d had his chance to make his mark upon the world, An’ that opportunity had been good as gold, Now he could help that young’un get his banner unfurled, You see, that’s the perks of this thing of getting’ old.

The old man knew that his journey had neared it’s end, An’ his lips said a silent thank you to his Lord, A feller could not have made it without a friend, His faith had kept his journey from being hard.

An’ so a new era starts with freshness of sight, An’ a goal to provide a chance for those that can, ‘Cuz society will surely demand a new height, For this is how the world seems to find a plan.

So he offered sound advice, good for any one Stand firm upon your beliefs, be true to humankind, An’ love your fellow man, same as the Lord had done, Walkin’ that road is how your life is defined.

So now, he’d teach an’ guide this “Button” along, Do what ever it took to follow life’s trail, Makin’ sure that this young’un knew right from wrong, Exactly what it took to balance life’s scale.

You see, good will overcome evil in a while, An’ the old man knew his tenure had met success, This thought quickly bloomed his face into a smile, At how God had given the world His sweet caress.

So now, without further ado, he’d step back, Just to let this “Button” take the lead without fear, Ah, he’d stick around just to help him to untrack, An’ wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

© Ol’ Jim Cathey Join us at First Baptist Church in Marlin and experience “The Great Commandment” as we begin our journey through a new year with an old codger coaching a young sprout!

God bless each of you and God bless America!

Happy and prosperous New Year, another gift from our Lord!