thependulumswings

One of the many gifts that Boom Boom gave us was the torrent of quips about how one leads one’s life.   He could say so much by saying so little.   A statement at just the right moment resonated in my young, eager eardrums.  How I interpreted or applied it was up to me.  No more words were spoken because no more words were needed.

One of the positive learnings that came out of being raised Catholic and attending Catholic schools was learning to give back, or to volunteer for worthy causes.  Back then an optional group for men to join in that effort at their parish church was called “The Holy Name Society.”  Members met one Sunday every month after church to discuss past, present, and potential future endeavors that they collectively voted on as worthwhile to help the a person, family, or community in some way.

From that was born “The Junior Holy Name Society.”  Young and eager to emulate Boom Boom, I joined the group the first year that you could at age 8.  All of the fathers and sons would meet as the main group, then the two would split to hold their own meetings for a few minutes.

Boom Boom rose to the level of President a couple of years later.  I was in awe that he could speak in front of a group of 40 or so, and led them through many charitable endeavors.  His sincerity, combined with his knowledge, captivated his audience and much good came from that.  I liked being in the big meetings more than being with the juniors just to watch him.

One meeting’s main topic was the decision to rebuild a part of a widow’s house damaged by yet another strong summer southern storm.  There were some dissenters and disagreement voiced throughout the time spent on how to and the cost to do so.  Repeatedly Boom Boom called on others and others to voice their thoughts on specific parts.  We(he) even brought in a couple of construction guys to be able to answer some questions.

Through it all Boom Boom barely spoke.  He only asked questions along the way.  It seemed like an odd meeting to this 10 year old.  Driving home I asked, “Dad, why didn’t you talk more today?”  “I don’t know much about remodeling nor plumbing son.”  I sat clueless for a minute thinking about how this was different from his approach in the other meetings.  “Yes you do,” I thought and said.  “No, I don’t.  It’s important to know what you don’t know.”  

I didn’t know then that my dad didn’t know everything about everything.  But, now, looking back, I realize that he was smart even when he wasn’t.