Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne?

The unstated answer of this opening question is no. Auld (old) acquaintances should never be forgotten and should be brought to mind. Auld acquaintances should never be forgotten nor days of auld lang syne. 

As we enter the calendar year that marks my high school graduation (Class of 2022), I have certainly spent a good share of time asking myself this question. No doubt as I part ways from my friends and classmates (some that I have known since second grade), I will be unable to keep in close contact with all of them. Some of them will become just memories, but let them ne'er fade away further lest auld acquaintance be forgot. Let me remember to bring them to mind as each year draws to a close.

This Scottish folk song that is so widely sung is a call to remember. If we sing it, let us follow the lyrical instructions and remember the auld for auld lang syne. "Auld lang syne" literally translates to "old long since," but is more commonly just used to mean "old time's sake."

For auld lang syne, my dear; for auld lang syne, we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet for days of auld lang syne.

Let us all gather with old friends, new friends, family, and loved ones to fondly remember for auld lang syne. Let us disregard our foul memories and actively choose to recall the good--to raise a glass to the triumphs, successes, and to cherish our old and new blessings. 

Happy New Year, everyone.

Generosity: An Encomium Speech

Christmastime is here! It is once again time to gather with our family, celebrate time together, and remember the birth of our Savior. Christmas is also a time of gift giving, a time of gratitude, and a time of great generosity. In my rhetoric class we were assigned to write a praise speech (aka an encomium) on someone who demonstrates great virtue. I chose to highlight the Giving Tree's generosity. As the 25th rapidly approaches, I would like to highlight her generosity again, not merely in what she gave, but her willingness to give anything. As we gather with our families this year, let us be willing to give our time, our love, and yes, maybe a few gifts too. Here is my encomium of the Giving Tree:

    “Once there was a tree and she loved a little boy.” So begins Shel Silverstein’s children’s book entitled The Giving Tree. This story, although illustrated in simple pen drawings, written in large text, and spanning only 52 pages, is hardly for children’s eyes alone. The Giving Tree—the tree herself—though merely a literary device and a plant, is the true example of human virtue. Her generosity exceeds her selfishness, her love eliminates her hate, and her simplicity eradicates her pretentiousness. 

    When the boy first returned to the tree after his youth, he needed money. The Giving Tree gave him apples to sell. Still the tree was happy, for she had thought she made the boy happy. She showed the boy her love and that he could return to her when he needed help. But, generosity can be a dangerous path to walk down.

    When the boy returned to the tree a second time, he needed a house. The Giving Tree gave him branches to build one. Still the tree was happy, for she thought the house would make the boy happy. She gave of her very own branches knowing that she could still simply survive without them and the boy’s need would be fulfilled. Generosity takes from the giver.

    After quite some time, when the boy returned to the tree, he needed to sail far away. The Giving Tree gave him her tree trunk for a boat. Still, the tree was happy… but not really. Her true sacrificial love for the boy was shown through her final generosity. Here she gave away the last thing she could to the boy she had missed so dearly. By giving him a boat, she ensured that she would most likely never see him again. In this way, generosity is a risk.

    The boy returned a fourth and final time. He had nothing to offer and only needed a place to sit. The Giving Tree offered the only thing she had left: a stump to sit and rest. The boy’s final needs were fulfilled and The Giving Tree’s dearest friend now sat with her once more and she also was truly happy. 

    Generosity is a dangerous path to take. Generosity takes from the giver. Generosity is a risk. The Giving Tree showed love in the face of the boy’s hateful abandonment. She showed simplicity in the face of the boy’s pretentious needs. She showed generosity even when it meant that the selfish boy she loved might never return. 

    The Giving Tree’s generosity is more human than our own cracked version of it. Fate smiled upon her perfect generosity and gave her back the boy’s company. Generosity may be dangerous and a risk, but love like that is never overlooked. The Giving Tree was rewarded as well she should be. 

Check out my YouTube Channel! My second annual installment of a BASS-ic Christmas will be available tomorrow (12/24) in my BASS-ic Christmas playlist!