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FALL 2001
Gloria Horvay
Clerk, Salem Quarterly MeetingDear Friends,
We Americans are noted for our friendliness, but when it comes to trust, it is quite a different story. Children are taught from a young age to not trust strangers. We have home security systems and auto alarms. Cameras are concealed in stores to deter shoplifters. Who can we trust these days?
Recently Bob and I had several exceptional experiences with trust. We needed to go early to the Friends General Conference Gathering be cause Bob was taking care of the shuttles be tween the Roanoke Airport and the Virginia Tech campus. A lovely couple in Roanoke, Bob and Susie Fetter, graciously welcomed us into their home and let us stay an extra night after they had left for the Gathering. They trusted us and even offered the use of a car.
Our workshop at the Gathering was couples enrichment for those approaching retirement. There was a high degree of trust among the couples as we learned to listen to one another and dialog about concerns. It is interesting to note that one major concern many of us shared was dealing with clutter around the house. Sound familiar?
While driving home we decided to stop at Belle Hearth Bed and Breakfast in Waynesboro, Vir ginia. We were overwhelmed by the friendliness of the owners. They sat down to chat with us after insisting we have some chicken soup. The wife works in conflict resolution and was impressed that we were Quakers. They would like to have retreats and conferences at their B&B. They have enjoyed furnishing their home from antique shops, and even have themes for the guest rooms. Breakfast was elegantly served with china and silver. They trust their guests to appreciate and take care of their home. What a difference from chain motels!
I wisely trusted the recommendation of a Friend in the FGC bookstore to purchase the book The Quiltmaker’s Gift, by Jeff Brumbeau, published by Scholastic in 2000. It is a wonderful story about the joy of giving to others. Children will especially enjoy searching for the quilt patterns in the illustrations.
One last word about children’s books: the cor rect title of the recent Newbery book by Richard Peck that I recommended in the spring issue is A Year Down Yonder. I had the joy of meeting this author, having him sign his book, and chatting about my hometown in Illinois, while we were at the American Library Association Conference in San Francisco in June.
I’m looking forward to seeing you in Greenwich in September, when our topic will be Friends Institute.
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Last modified:
Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:19 AM
