Salvation

Dear Emeritus: Ah, there you are. I thought a big Florida swamp alligator swallowed you whole. But I looked at the bright side: one vote less for Obama. Yes, indeed, I am very grateful to have made it to Maryland. A propitious decision made in pure desperation and hopelessness. However, when I met Christine I felt like George Jefferson (“movin’ on up”) and it just continues to glow. Haggling over my past may appear to be the ravings of an ingrate. But far from it, I see my self as fortunate victim: I got away. Now the authority of the State and its violent and murderous governance occupy the place in my soul reserved for handling the inevitable unpleasantness of life. I believe government to have the paternal traits I so feared as a child and despise as an adult:  violence, force, threat, hostility, coercion, soullessness. But living in the United States, Maryland, Cape Cod, New Jersey, marrying and trying to be a family man also make for some of my happiest memories. Last, but surely not least, there is UMBC and my benefactor Dr. Benson. My first foray into education without the threat of punishment. Not bad for a country pumpkin who, frightened to death, stared into nothingness and at a gruesome existence as a country parson with a lousy theological education and, at best, middling Latin. Life is truly a gift. Mine is spectacular. Another proof for the existence of God. I want to be arrogant and say I hit a home run, but my humility demands to claim it being just a stand-up triple. Did you hear? Billy Cundiff wasn’t allowed to disembark at BWI.