30 Day Writing Challenge

#15 Wholly Strange and New by Bridget Pilloud

When good is near you, when you have life in yourself, it is not by any known or accustomed way; you shall not discern the foot-prints of any other; you shall not see the face of man; you shall not hear any name;—— the way, the thought, the good, shall be wholly strange and new. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Can you remember a moment in your life when you had life in yourself and it was wholly strange and new? Can you remember the moment when you stopped walking a path of someone else, and started cutting your own?

Write about that moment. And if you haven’t experienced it yet, let the miracle play out in your mind’s eye and write about that moment in your future.

(Author:

Bridget Pilloud)

In the normal course of childhood I got involved with the Cub Scouts. My mother was involved in helping with the leadership. I worked through and completed all the ranks with her prodding.

Later I moved up to Boy Scouts and was fortunate to be involved in Troop 70, the Jamboree Troop. Troop 70 is perhaps the most outstanding troop in the United States having helped 430 boys obtain the rank of Eagle Scout over the last 80 years. My scoutmaster was Lon Sailers who served as scoutmaster for 38 years. During the Lon's tenure he guided 238 scouts to receive their Eagle Scout award.

My mother kept me focused on completing all of the ranks. Yes, she pushed, cajoled, and reminded me until I completed all 21 merit badges. I received my Eagle Scout award September 1, 1956. I went on to receive several more merit badges and my God and Country award.

This experience set me up to be a life time learner and taught me the power of perseverance which has served me well all my life. On May 1, 1957 my brother, David, received his Eagle Scout award. My mother now had received two small silver Eagle pins representing her two Eagle Scout sons. She had these made into earrings and she proudly wore them frequently. When she died, we buried her wearing her Eagle pins. Through her perseverance we learned that through perseverance we could accomplish much!