I spent many leisure hours researching my mind, going back some eighty years to dig around my Grass Roots, so as to share some of the findings with you. I could go on writing and tell you more of the details and mysteries of those "Good Old Days". Suffice it to say that there are many things to justify this look back.

I do hope that you enjoyed this trip, going back with me to my Grass Root days and the intimate visit with my Grass Root family, especially meeting my Ma and my Pa.

Did you learn about the value of "Caring and Sharing", of travelling shoulder to shoulder, giving us a chance to be neighbourly, to talk and to learn more about each other? On the highway of life, there is a fast lane and a slow lane. When we travel in the Slow Lane, we learn that there is more to life than a "fast buck". Travelling in the Slow Lane gives us a chance to look around and enjoy the scenery, smell the roses and the dew-covered clover. Travelling in this Slow Lane lets us hear the birds and other members of Life, and natural phenomena which are all around us. On the slow lane we may, yes, just may, find someone we can help as we travel along.

One of the most important legacies from my "Grass Root" days is the reality of "Caring and Sharing". Some of the assets in our world today include the Silicone Chip technology, combined with that of Fibre Optics. These together gave birth to the micro-chip processors and other computer-operated devices. Another asset is the Space-Satellite Relay, giving birth to the "Internet" and the "Information Highway".

These modern electronic devices can all be used to help implement the virtues of the "Good Old Days" in the world of the twenty-first century and beyond, if their non-profit use is controlled by the Public in a society of people whose government is for themselves and by themselves, for their welfare.

Did you learn of the need to adapt the concept of party-less politics to form a government of the people, for the people and by the people?

Did you learn of the value of an old social concept made new and as taught by Jesus, our Christian Messiah?

Did you gather that our business should be to live cooperatively with each other as well as with most other life forms?

Did you get any hint of the idea that the civilization we have created is based on false concepts and like the house built on sand, is already collapsing?

Before I close this final chapter, I would like you to consider this parable inspired by my BACK FORTY.

A SOLILOQUY ON A TREE

A small seed fell by the wayside. In it there was apparently neither a sign of Life nor Miracle. It was smooth and round and brown. Then the warm rains came and the sun shone and potential life became manifest in its tiny hull. Suddenly, the seed grew larger and momentarily two small leaves put forth; then root-threads. The leaves groped for the pure warm air, while the rootlets wormed into the cool, sweet earth. The air was kind and the earth friendly, so in the course of time the leaves gave place to stock and branches bearing a host of other leaves. The roots drew upon the soil for food and moisture and accordingly, as was designed in its genes, it grew and multiplied, sending forth many other rootlets so that they might assist in the growth of a noble creation.

The stock waxed strong and became a trunk. The branches grew to limbs, bearing other lesser branches and twigs. Some of these twigs, in their turn, bore leaves, while others blossoms and then fruit.

So, the tiny seed, having fulfilled its purpose, empowered by that Great Spirit, became a tree, in every detail as was planned. It is seen that each of her parts has developed in gradual stages from a lesser unit, as need arose, to serve a larger purpose; and that these smaller units were all co-related that they might be of service one to the other. Each was of little service to itself alone. This relationship pervades throughout the completed whole so that it might function and serve as an element in the whole co-related scheme of Creation.

By day, the silvery green leaves shimmered in the sunlight, and they became her as a delight to all who looked upon her in admiration and wonder. When the rains came, they dealt with her kindly. To caress and buffet alike, she responded and seemed to grow more awesome and beautiful. At night, the stars winked down, while moonbeam sprites danced among her verdant tresses.

In the autumn, her leaves were painted and scattered about the ground to be played with by child and wind and finally left to lie as a blanket about her feet 'til the ever-resourceful Nature changed them into food for her and her kind. Thus, with herself, her leaves and her fruit, she gave to others, life and enjoyment, leaving herself seemingly spent, though in truth a more grand and noble creation.

In all of Nature, we find that there is a co-relation or linking-up of one unit with another to form a larger scheme. We find all units are interdependent so that none functions without an effect on the whole of Nature. As in Nature, so in the affairs of humans, all things start from small beginnings, a spark of an idea, which as it grows and develops, gathers unto itself many influences and suggestions which all link together in an ordered plan to form a co-related whole. The whole of life is an aggregate of co-related units.

Whatever we do, think and say, not only affects the growth of ourselves, but also that of countless others. Our thoughts should be ultimately concerned with the good and welfare of others. All of our doing should be done in others' interest as well as our own. We should not make any room for selfish motives in our homes or in our neighbourhoods. In its place we should substitute co-operative, neighbourly motives, in our activities.

Now let us end this parable on an optimistic note.