Shining a Fresh Light on Old Wisdom

Simple yet profound wisdom once was passed around in hard working agricultural America. Sayings that summed up years of experience were spread by elders who had little time for small talk.

Yet there were tales to tell beneath them which gave each an untold importance and perhaps even a touchstone to guide if the listener was willing to ponder. My grandfather, Ches Baum, was one who spread these old sayings around. He was well educated and successful, but often pulled one of the old idioms out in its colloquial form. I was too young and headstrong to understand what he really meant when he applied one to a situation at hand. Sometimes I was amused and other-times rather annoyed. But now they all make sense, and their secrets seem precious.

Once, during a the turbulent 1960’s Civil Rights Movement, a family member was redressing protesters and lack of authority the government was showing by not stopping them. Another family member was arguing that it was high time the demands of demonstrators were met. Ches interrupted the debate by saying this. "Tain't nobody perfect." His comment was a conversation stopper.

It's true. Tain't nobody perfect.