220
December 1973
COMMUNICATION AND THE PURITY OF LANGUAGE
Words are essential to communication, but certain words have
different meanings to different people. Also, each
generation seems to twist certain words to suit their
convenience. An example is the word "meek." At one time,
"meek" meant a cooperative, hard-working, law abiding, God-
fearing person who raised a fine family and was a good
neighbor and citizen. Today, if on tells someone that they
are "meek," they are not flattered.
I wanted to write an article regarding TIME and the GOOD
LIFE. I used the word "virtue" in the title. The word was
not clear enough in its meaning but I could not think of a
better one. Therefore, I am giving the article below
followed by some examples which illustrate certain qualities
which might be called "virtue."
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September 25, 1972
VIRTUE IS A LONG TIME THING
The ancient Greeks used to say that no man could say that he
had lived a good life until he had lived it, and that might
take a long time. Virtue is often negative. The hard parts
are the things one does not do. Violence can be a quick
thing. In a split second, one can be a murderer. Violence
makes news but virtue is seldom dramatic.
One can only be aware of virtue if one can capture time.
That can only happen in quiet places where people can become
aware of each other and where their lives are free enough and
decent enough that they can think out loud once in awhile.
Many people today discard each day as it comes along. They
live for today; they are the NOW people. They have a lot of
action and a lot of fun and excitement, but they cannot know
virtue for virtue is a long time thing.
The following are glimpses into the lives of people which
illustrate certain qualities of character which I have chosen
to collectively call VIRTUE. They illustrate that sadness
and tragedy can also be a LONG TIME THING.
Certain mornings I attend the EENT Clinic at the Veterans
Administration Medical Center. Four months ago, a fine
looking man came in in a wheelchair. Twenty-seven years
before, while in pilot training, he was injured and became
paralyzed from the middle of the chest down. Later, muscles
were transferred so that he could use his hands. He was 20
at the time with a two year old son. I was amazed at how
well and undefeated he appeared to be. He had worked as a
bookkeeper and office manager. He was in the hospital for a
broken leg. He was a fine, big man. Good features and
obviously intelligent. He was of German origin, but could
not speak the language. He needed bifocals, which I ordered
for him.
It is almost a shock to meet someone who has suffered so much
and is still undefeated. How did he do it? I wondered if I
would have had the same courage. I told him that someone
must have loved him and, more important, he must have been
worthy of love. He told me that his wife had stuck with him.
That his son is now 29 and married with one child. The son
is in the teaching profession. His parents are now dead, but
he said that they too were a great support. And, of course,
the V. A. Medical Centers have always been ready to help him.
Naturally, one feels sympathy but also admiration and
appreciation. Admiration for the patient for his courage and
cheerfulness in the face of tragedy and suffering and for his
loved ones who have supported him day by day in deed and
spirit. Also for the doctors, nurses, technicians and
countless others in the V.A. who have helped and admired him
with their many skills and services.
E. B. worked as an office manager for many years. He drove a
specially equipped car. Recently, he broke his leg and has
been in hospital here. I visited him on the wards and also
saw him several times afterwards when he attended the
Clinic down the hall.
The next patient was a middle-aged man who was taking the
three month inpatient treatment for alcoholism. He was well
built and had a compact athletic body. Had been good at
baseball. He had been a roofer most of his life.
The patient in the wheelchair sat in the room with us.
Afterwards, we discussed why so many roofers had a problem
with alcohol. We outlined the following theories:
1. They start on this dangerous difficult job when they are
young and reckless and need the money.
2. The work is lonely. They cannot invite anyone up to see
their work.
3. Monotony and exposure to all kinds of weather may be a
factor.
We both felt sad about this very rich chap with the drinking
problem. E. B. happened to know that the man's brother, who
was also a roofer, had a drinking problem.
*** *** *** *** ***
I stepped out in the hallway and there was a lady in a
wheelchair. She had lost one leg at the knee or just above
from poor circulation. She was attending the Department of
Physical Medicine down the hallway. She was taking
treatments there and had been fitted for an artificial limb.
I spoke to Dr. C., the head of the Department. He showed me
the limb. It was beautifully made. He told me that General
Hap Arnold of the Air Force had been mainly responsible for
recent improvements in artificial limbs. Apparently, when
the General found that his injured flyers were being supplied
with limbs that had shown little improvement over the years,
he put on great pressure for research in this area and great
improvements happened.
The patient, however, is not doing well with the limb. The
circulation in her other leg is poor. Apparently, she is not
happy, for she smokes continually, about 3 packs daily, and
follows a poor nutritional pattern.
