by Jim Stovall
“The whole world is looking for someone who will treat them like a friend. Instead of looking to find a friend, seek situations where you can be a friend, and you will always find what you are looking for.”
The room fell silent. Joey slowly rose from his chair and walked to the doorway where Hawthorne was standing.
Joey extended his hand and said, “Thank you for being my friend.”
Miss Hastings turned toward me and, with tears streaming down her face, said for all to hear, “That’s three.”
NINE
The Legacy of Learning
The things we learn are a legacy we receive. The things we teach are a legacy we leave behind.
As the days and weeks after the concert flew by, Joey had many hands-on experiences that reinforced the lessons Miss Sally wanted him to have as part of her legacy through Red and Jason Stevens.
Joey experienced hard work as he had never known before. While he had sweat, strained muscles, and gotten blisters from the manual labor with Gus on the memorial gardens, Joey found that following up on a million details, dealing with all manner of personalities and individuals over the phone and in person, and depending on others to meet important deadlines is stressful, hard work that takes a toll on one’s mind and spirit instead of one’s body.
Joey confronted experiences with money he had never imagined in his short, carefree life of leisure. Money was now not just something to be spent on a whim for nothing more than personal satisfaction. Money became the tool that could provide answers to real people’s life-and-death problems.
Furthermore, Joey came face-to-face with that age-old financial reality that arises when one is trying to do good work and stop suffering: there’s never enough money to go around. He had to make some hard decisions that I could tell weighed heavily on his heart and spirit.
His experiences with his new friend Stephanie involved both work and money. He was trying to find money so she could get the rehabilitation treatment she needed after her accident and to subsidize her family’s diminished income and increased expenses. But there simply wasn’t enough to go around.
Joey and I were seated on the veranda watching the sunrise. He was lamenting, “I wish I knew how to handle the money better. I wish I knew who I could help the most and the best. I wish I knew how to raise more money.”
I agreed with him. “Joey, as life goes on, you will learn many more things that will open doors to you that will raise further questions, creating more things you wish you knew.”
He started to protest the mystery and enigma that I had presented him with, but I interrupted him.
“Jason may have some of the answers for you downstairs at breakfast.”
Joey and I took our places at either end of the long breakfast table. Miss Hastings and Jason were present, along with Oscar and young Miss Stephanie, whose wheelchair had been pushed up to the breakfast table. On the other side of the expansive antique table was a group of people—some whom I knew personally and others I knew only by reputation.
As Claudia served everyone, I nodded at Jason to take the lead.
He got everyone’s attention and began. “Joey and everyone, I want to thank you for being here, although Claudia’s cooking should prove to be thanks enough.
“As you are all aware, Joey’s great-grandmother opened Anderson House many years ago, and just prior to her death, she and Mr. Hamilton drew upon an experience my grandfather, Red Stevens, had prepared for me, which became known around the world as the Ultimate Gift.”
Jason introduced each of the guests, among them a PhD in physics from a renowned university, the curator of an elite museum, an internationally known astronomer, and one of the country’s most famous best-selling nonfiction authors. After handshakes and pleasantries were exchanged, Jason motioned toward the large video screen and played the message Red had recorded for him that had to do with learning.
“As you know, I never had the benefit of a formal education, and I realize that you have some kind of degree from that high-toned college we sent you to that is little more than a playground for the idle rich.
“Now, before you get your feelings all hurt, I want you to realize that I respect universities as well as any type of formal education. It just wasn’t a part of my life. What was a part of my life was a constant curiosity and desire to learn everything I could about the people and world around me. I wasn’t able to go to school very long after I learned to read, but the ability to read, think, and observe made me a relatively well-educated man.
“But learning is a process. You can’t simply sit in a classroom and someday walk offstage with a sheepskin and call yourself educated. I believe the reason a graduation ceremony is called a commencement is because the process of learning begins—or commences—at that point. The schooling that went before simply provided the tools and the framework for the real lessons to come.
“In the final analysis, Jason, life—when lived on your own terms—is the ultimate teacher. My wealth and success have robbed you of that, and this is my best effort to repair the damage.”
After the video ended, Jason stood and shared with everyone the details of the month he had spent in South America as a part of Red Stevens’s lessons on the gift of learning. He explained, “I met the poorest people I have ever known while I was in Ecuador. But they didn’t seem to understand they were living in poverty. They treasured things like family, friends, and honor, and had a very special celebration of life. I worked in a library that didn’t have the quantity or quality of books we would expect to find at a garage sale.”
Jason gazed around the room, and then his face took on a faraway expression, as if he were seeing it all once again.
“The native people there had a reverence for books that I am still trying to understand and embrace. I stay in touch with them to this day and will for the rest of my life. I think those people have lived through so many revolutions and seen their government overthrown so often that turmoil and poverty have become the norm. They know that someone can take all of their possessions, but no one can ever take their joy, honor, or most importantly, the things they have learned.”
The eminent and learned guests at the table then began a lively discussion about science, art, religion, and the origin and meaning of life. Even though the guests were from a variety of disciplines, their knowledge seemed to support and build upon one another’s and elevate the overall dialogue.
I looked down the long table and saw that Joey’s eyes had a glazed-over look generally observed among bored college students. I cleared my throat and requested everyone’s attention.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank each of you for being here and in your own way contributing to Joey’s legacy of learning from Miss Sally. Listening to the learned and erudite conversation, I realize we could be here all day and only create more questions and identify new areas to explore, but at this juncture, I want Joey to understand what will be expected of him in the coming days.”
Joey’s head lifted as if he were only now fully conscious of his surroundings and paying attention.
I continued, “Joey, during the coming days, as a part of your great-grandmother’s legacy, you will be asked to learn from someone, and then, just as importantly, you will be expected to teach someone.”
Joey looked at the professors and learned men and women seated at the table and asked, “Who?”
I smiled and replied, “Two among us have agreed to act as your teacher and your pupil.”
I let the suspense build for a moment, anticipating the lesson in learning that was about to commence. Then I explained, “You will be asked to teach our Miss Stephanie something of your and her choosing.”
Joey smiled and appeared relieved, muttering, “No problem.”
Joey and Stephanie exchanged a high five.
I continued, “And you will be asked to learn something of your and his choosing under the direction of Oscar.”
Joey’s head swiveled toward Oscar, and hi
s mouth dropped open in shock. I waited for his anticipated verbal assault.
“What in the world am I supposed to learn from the maintenance man of my great-grandmother’s bed-and-breakfast?”
Everyone around the table smiled patiently.
Joey’s confusion deepened. He turned to Oscar and blurted, “No offense. I just mean . . .”
Oscar nodded and said, “No offense taken, Master Joey. I am proud to be the maintenance man at Anderson House and look forward to our sessions in the coming days.”
Joey declared angrily, “I’m not going to—”
I interrupted him, stating, “Joey, before you embarrass yourself further and before we adjourn this meeting, I suggest we all take a little tour with my friend Oscar.”
Everyone rose and followed Oscar out of the room, down a long corridor, through a hidden panel in an out-of-the-way hall, and down a hidden flight of stairs into a magnificent library that was housed underneath the entire south wing of Anderson House.
Joey was in shock, and most of the other guests were enjoying his discovery, as they had been in the world-class library many times.
Jason was maneuvering Stephanie’s wheelchair down the last of the stairs, and she enthusiastically uttered the universal verbalization of awe for seven-year-olds. “Wow! This is cool!”
I chimed in. “Yes, Stephanie, I would most heartily agree. And now I’m going to ask Oscar to tell us what we’re looking at.”
Oscar spoke with a confidence and clarity he exhibited only when working on a difficult maintenance project or spending time in his library.
“This is Anderson House’s private library. Miss Sally, her husband, and his parents spent over a century acquiring, restoring, and cataloging the volumes you see before you. Scholars, world leaders, artists, and seekers of knowledge from all around the world travel here as many of these volumes can be found nowhere else.”
Joey spoke. “Okay, this is really amazing, but what does this have to do with me learning from a maintenance man?” He looked directly at Oscar and challenged, “How many of these books, if any, can you honestly say you have read and understood?”
Oscar gazed toward the ceiling, momentarily lost in his thoughts, and then responded, “Well, I’ve read them all. That’s easy. But to ever say you’ve totally understood something is a form of ignorance. Some of these books I’ve read several times, and with each reading, I find both more answers and more questions.”
Joey stared in wonderment as the world-renowned thought leaders and scholars disappeared among the myriad book-filled shelves, following Oscar, the maintenance man who would now be Joey’s teacher.
TEN
The Legacy of Problems
As we live our lives well, we receive a legacy of problems and leave a legacy of solutions.
The practice of the law is literal, logical, and linguistic, all at the same time. It is part science and part art.
Even though the Internet and corresponding digital age have made research faster and easier, there are still many obscure legal briefs and precedents that need to be researched the old-fashioned way. I took several opportunities throughout the ensuing weeks to utilize the extensive law library at Anderson House. During each of these research visits, I observed Oscar and Joey in deep concentration and ongoing dialogue over numerous volumes in the extensive library.
I was, therefore, not surprised that when Oscar joined Jason, Joey, Miss Hastings, and me for breakfast on the appointed morning weeks later that he gave a very favorable response regarding Joey’s lessons and that which he had learned.
Oscar reported, “Joey is a quick learner with the most important characteristic any student can have—curiosity.”
Oscar smiled at Joey, who just looked down at the table, seemingly embarrassed, then continued. “Instead of focusing on one area, we undertook an introductory overview of a number of subjects that are a part of any learned person’s lifelong pursuits. I can honestly say that Joey has the ability to be a great learner, and more importantly, he has the passion for it.”
I smiled with satisfaction and thanked Oscar for his efforts in the teaching process and his report of Joey’s progress.
I was shuffling some papers to go on to the next phase of Miss Sally’s renovation project on her great-grandson when Miss Hastings alerted me that Oscar wasn’t done speaking.
I glanced up and inquired, “I’m sorry, Oscar. Was there something else?”
He nodded hesitantly and spoke. “Sir, I reported to you what Joey had learned from me, but I would be remiss if I didn’t share what I learned from Joey.”
Oscar had everyone’s full attention, and I will admit to being more than a little curious about where this was heading.
“Mr. Hamilton,” Oscar admitted, “I have made learning a part of my life. Not as something I do but as who I am. I have learned many things from our library here and the ongoing stream of learned and prominent guests who come to Anderson House, but in my time with Joey, I realized that my learning was theoretical, and he has experienced the literal and practical.”
I couldn’t imagine what Oscar was trying to convey but motioned for him to continue.
“I have read about the pyramids, studied the maps of the South Pacific, and enjoyed many accounts of expeditions, but Joey has been to the pyramids, explored the South Sea Islands, and seen the summit of Mount Everest on a clear day above the South Col.”
Joey was staring at Oscar as he continued his report.
“While I hope Joey will continue exploring the world of books and take every opportunity to meet and converse with learned and accomplished people, I also hope he will allow me the benefit of hearing more about his life experiences and maybe even give me the opportunity to tag along at some point in the future.”
Joey nodded affirmation and thanks to Oscar, and I proclaimed, “Joey, you and Oscar have exceeded my expectations and, I believe, those Miss Sally would have had for you in the first part of this lesson about learning. However, as you know, part of learning and a key tenet of legacy is passing value on to others. To this end, you were to instruct young Miss Stephanie and experience learning from the other side.
“Unfortunately, I understand that Stephanie has been facing some very serious health challenges, and her recovery has not been progressing as we all hoped and prayed it would; therefore, we will take up that matter later.”
I nodded to Jason, who announced, “The next lesson my grandfather taught me after the gift of learning was about problems. I will admit I thought he was crazy when he started trying to teach me this, but I thought he was insane when he told me problems could be something good. Instead of hearing from me, let’s hear from him.”
Jason pushed a button, and Red Stevens joined us at our breakfast meeting once more.
“Jason, life is full of many contradictions. In fact, the longer you live, the more the reality of life will seem like one great paradox. But if you live long enough and search hard enough, you will find a miraculous order to the confusion.
“All of the lessons I am trying to teach you as a part of the Ultimate Gift that I am leaving you through my will are generally learned as people go through their lives facing struggles and problems. Any challenge that does not defeat us ultimately strengthens us.
“One of the great errors in my life was sheltering so many people—including you—from life’s problems. Out of a misguided sense of concern for your well-being, I actually took away your ability to handle life’s problems by removing them from your environment.
“Unfortunately, human beings cannot live in a vacuum forever. A bird must struggle in order to emerge from the eggshell. A well-meaning person might crack open the egg, releasing the baby bird. This person might walk away feeling as though he has done the bird a wonderful service when, in fact, he has left the bird in a weakened condition and unable to deal with its environment. Instead of helping the bird, the person has, in fact, destroyed it. It is only a matter of time until something in the
bird’s environment attacks it, and the bird has no ability to deal with what otherwise would be a manageable problem.
“If we are not allowed to deal with small problems, we will be destroyed by slightly larger ones. When we come to understand this fact, we live our lives not avoiding problems, but welcoming them as challenges that will strengthen us so that we can be victorious in the future.”
I was pondering the wise words of my dear departed friend when I looked up and noticed that someone had wheeled Miss Stephanie into the room. She was seated in her wheelchair near Joey.
I smiled and greeted her, saying, “Good morning, Miss Stephanie. I understood that your physical therapy was going to preclude you from joining us today.”
She seemed confused and leaned over to Joey to whisper in his ear. He whispered back into her ear, and then she smiled, nodded, and spoke.
“Joey told me that if I don’t understand a word I should ask. I now know what preclude means.”
Miss Hastings emitted a muffled laugh. I looked at her in mock scorn, saying, “Nothing wrong with a bit of a vocabulary lesson, Miss Hastings.”
I nodded toward Joey and Stephanie. They conferred briefly between them, and Stephanie reported, “Joey found out that since the accident, I have missed so much school I was going to have to repeat the second grade. But he called my teacher and got all of my lessons and classwork so he could bring everything to the hospital. We’ve been having school every day between my therapy sessions and the other stuff the nurses make me do.”
Stephanie looked toward Joey, and he continued the report. “I’m very pleased to announce that due to Stephanie’s hard work, she has caught up on all of her classwork and is actually ahead of the other students in the second grade. I was so impressed with her progress, I contacted the school counselor, and Stephanie will be tested later this year to see about getting her into a gifted program.”
