There are a few observations that make this man of years wonder what is going to happen to our nation and, more important, to the people in it.

Anyone worth his or her salt tries to lead folks in the right direction and wishes for them better than we did or had. It's when we don't teach them what is right and what is wrong that might be the worst thing we could do for them.

It seems like in my lifetime, starting back in the 60s, our nation went to this mentality of doing what felt good. It didn't matter what you did as long as you enjoyed it.

Since I was reared in the 40s and 50s, I was taught to do what is right, respect my parents and especially my elders.

I didn't have too much problem with respect for my folks and elders. The punishment for failing to do either of those was not too pleasant. It was the first one that I had problems with, doing what is right. I was taught where to find what is right and wrong. The Bible tells us, and it doesn't change; we do. Thank the Lord we didn't have the things to tempt us like our children and grandchildren have today. I might not have made it this far.

The worst things that we could do as boys was to swim in the creek naked, smoke cigarettes, maybe drink a beer and race cars. In my graduating class, there weren't five boys or girls who had drunk a beer. I wasn't one of the five. All of these things were "sins," and back then, no one wanted to go to Hell or get caught doing them, especially by your parents. The thinking today has changed drastically. I'm not sure it's gotten better since the 60s. Parents, who are a family, have a hard time teaching their children to do right, have respect for others and especially for their elders.

As for me, I have no parents living, so I hope that I respected and helped them while they were here. It's gotten easier for me to respect my elders. There is nothing that I can do that I wouldn't do for those older than I am, and some even younger. It's getting harder by the day to find my elders, since I have become one. I guess that is why my 96-yearold mother-in-law and I get along so well. I try to do what she wants to do.

To you men, if you want a happy home and get along with the fairer sex, just do what they want, as much as you can. It took me most of my life to learn that, and I still fail at times, but I‘m still trying.

I have discovered that things, money or possessions, no matter how many or much you have, will not make you happy. In fact, having too much stuff can at times interfere with your happiness.

What's that saying? "The love of money is the root of all evil."

Being a former probate judge, who saw how people handle money, land and things, I've seen this "love of” ruin people and families.

I've been privileged to have more than enough to pay my bills and enjoy. I hope it has been because of what I've been taught: to work hard, don't throw what you have away, and give the Lord what is already His. We in these United States of America, and especially in deep Southwest Georgia, seem to have so much more than we deserve in everything.

I talk to people from all over the U.S.A. who have roots right here. I always invite them to come back home, that we who are here will be glad to have them. Unless they are young and still looking for something they want that is not here, the older ones are all "thinking" about coming back home again.

The old book by Judge Arthur G. Powell, I Can Go Home Again, printed in 1943 is still one of my favorites. It's about Southwest Georgia, when with all its faults, was one of my favorite times in history. It almost proved that this might have been where Eden was when it first got started.

This is where it is still taught that a Man came and gave His life for us so that we could have eternal life with Him, if we choose.

The Book tells us that we will live forever. That won’t change. It is our choice where forever will be.