|
Letter to The Editor (Cairo Evening Citizen): November 24, 1988
Thanksgiving
With that in mind, I am taking a few minutes from this Thanksgiving day to be Thankful for all the things that I have in my life... and also to be Thankful to Cairo... for being a very special Home to myself and my family for the greater part of my life... and providing so many special memories that is still so much a part of me. And although the "Cairo" today is not the "Cairo" of my youth that I so bitter/sweetly and for the most part so fondly remember, there is a piece of me that will always be a part of Cairo... just as there is a piece of Cairo that will always be a part of me and will always make Cairo, no matter how far removed from my present life and consciousness, an important and meaningful place to me of which I wish the best for as time goes by. I'm also sharing my feelings with the people of today's Cairo for another important reason... and that is simply to encourage everyone who calls Cairo "Home" (in present or past tense) to express their feelings about their home and area (in all its aspects) and say how they feel... and to take part in its growth and development. It's so very important that the members of the family of Cairo perceive themselves as just that... as part of a large family. Cairo belongs to the people of Cairo. You make it what it is or isn't. You make all of the difference. It all begins and ends with you. Today's youth I think realize more fully the potential that they have to effect change. If together we can combine the enthusiasm, energy, creativity and unbridled hopeful visions of love, brotherhood and sisterhood of the young with the knowledge and wisdom of our elder warriors of life (who have somehow managed to hold on to and still believe in the hopes and dreams of their youth)... then there is literally no limit to the dreams that Cairo as a family can realize. The potential is still there... it always has been. The missing ingredient has always been a lack of confidence and understanding of the power and will of the people to effect positive and productive change in a cooperative and peaceful manner. In a time in which we all know as individuals and as a society that we can't depend solely on either government, business or religion alone to solve all of our problems, we have no excuse for not taking back the power (and responsibility) that our Constitution intends for us to have (democracy)... and molding our Country, States and Towns into the people centered "family" that it was meant to be all along. Elected representatives cannot do it all (nor should they expect or be expected to). Individual participation in the life of our Nation, and especially our more immediate "homes", is what will make the difference in our own lives and the lives of our children. Finally, I would like to thank Herman Hirsch for his obvious love and concern for Cairo and his dedication to making Cairo a better place to live. Also, personally, I would like to thank him for his weekly and sometimes not so weekly "Cairo Brightside Report". His light and vision shines far beyond the city limits of Cairo... and I appreciate the inspiration. I hope the people of Cairo appreciate his inspiration and vision also. I think it is a rare opportunity for a town to have even "one" person of true leadership commitment and ability on their team... but it seems to me that Cairo has a whole "crew". I have to honestly say that I really don't know what Cairo has done to deserve the opportunity it now has to fulfill the dreams of its founders and present believers... but I think that that is beside the point. The time is right, the ingredients are all there, the challenge can be accomplished, the "vision" is within reach. The tide is high and it is up to the citizens of Cairo to grasp the gold ring and make the dream of a dynamic and positive growth oriented Cairo a true reality. "What we can envision, we can obtain". It's not just words. Give the true leaders of Cairo your support. Let the days of the narrow minded and self centered opportunists fade into the past where they belong... while holding on to the many great aspects of Cairo's history and heritage that you need so very much to build on. So again, thanks Herman Hirsch, Richard Poston and the rest of the people of and/or for Cairo who still dare to dream for a better Life for their town and ultimately for the Nation and World. My hopes are with you. (I know, Ms. Graney, an "A" for Substance and a "C" for Mechanics... some things never change). Thank you Cairo Evening Citizen for giving me the opportunity to express myself and also the opportunity to say "hey" to all my friends and acquaintances who still call Cairo "home". I wish you well.
Best of Life, Love & Friendship...
Lonnie Burris
|