Merry Christmas Bobwhite Patrol!

Boy it's a busy time of the year isn't it? I apologize I have not gotten around to sending out my December message yet and even greater apology for missing the last patrol meeting. I promise I am not avoiding you and was really bummed I wasn't able to make it.

I have heard from all of you and it sounds like the tickets are progressing wonderfully!  Keep it up. Audrey continues to stretch herself and the growth has been astounding! I LOVE to get little video clips of you stepping out of your comfort zone. If you have any doubt that a Wood Badge course can change a person's life, Audrey alone is a shining example.

I am sure the rest of you are all experiencing similar changes. I know I am still benefiting from the relationships I forged working on my ticket. One in particular is the Burmese refugee boys and their leadership.

During this time of year the rest of the world catches a glimpse of what we are trying to teach boys everyday. Lord Baden Powell established the program to change boys. These quotes help us to better understand his mission.

"We must change boys from a 'what can I get' to a 'what can I give' attitude."
"The code of the knight is still the code of the gentleman today."
"The real way to gain happiness is to give it to others."
"In Scouting, you are combating the brooding of selfishness."

Is it any wonder why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints adopted this program over a century ago? Are we doing all we can to help our young men "combat the brooding of selfishness"?

During this wonderful season of the year when we reflect on the selfless gift of the Father in the birth of His only begotten Son, I hope and pray that we can have our hearts changed and His law written in its fleshy tables. If we can change a boy to look outward before looking inward we have accomplished something great. I think even greater than winning a battle or climbing the highest peak in the world. For a boy to change his nature is for a son of God to realize his true potential and we not only help the boy, we help God.

May the Lord bless you this Christmas season. May the gift you give of changing boys have an everlasting effect on those you teach, instruct, serve, and love.

YIS
Tom Brand
The Regal Eagle

Working Your Ticket - An Honorable Discharge

It's hard to believe that another month has come and gone. Hopefully your Halloween with the kiddies was great. I have heard from most of you and it's evident that you are all working your tickets feverishly! I am proud of you all!

In the late 1800's the term "Working Your Ticket" was a phrase used by military in the UK to denote efforts to be honorably discharged and ultimate get back home. And while I want all of you to receive your "honorable discharge" from your Wood Badge course, I hope it has become evident to you through your individual and group effort that "completing" the course and receiving your beads is just the beginning.

Hopefully each of you is becoming more and more involved in your local unit and on the council level as well. Certainly, completing your ticket and receiving your beads does not mean you are done.

I recently received an assignment to be the Chartered Organization Representative for our unit. I held a meeting with our scout committee chair in our ward just last night. We discussed what was working well and what wasn't - Start, Stop, Continue. We came up with a list of needs, a title for a position on the committee that would fill those needs, and an assignment was made to write a brief job description of what each of those jobs entails. Over the next several months we plan on developing the scout committee in our unit into a well oiled machine including a request to have it staffed with volunteers who are passionate about boys and scouting!

I never thought I would be in the position I am in in scouting right now. When I was a Boy Scout, I didn't even know there was such a position. I am finding myself in leadership roles where the training I received in Wood Badge has been invaluable. Where I use it the most is in my home. And that is priceless to me. Similar things will happen to all of you if they have not already.

I sincerely hope that you are finding joy in your journey. While you are working to complete the tasks at hand, don't just check the box. Be sure to "zoom out" and appreciate where you have come from and where you are heading. I saw growth in the few days were were together at Camp Tracy. I know through your efforts that you're continuing to hone those leadership skills you picked up at camp as you implement them in real life situations.

Remember, this is just the beginning. Who knows where the gate leads or what path you might find yourself on in a few years. The trick is to enjoy the journey, stay focused, and help others find the way. 

YIS -

Tom Brand

The Regal Eagle

Preparing For the Harvest

Dear Bobwhites,

Fall is upon us. The leaves are changing into a cornucopia of colors. It reminds me of the harvest when all the hard work of the summer comes into fruition and it's time to bring in the fruit of our labors.

Life full of starts and stops. It's estimated that an average car starter motor cranks between 20,000 and 50,000 times before it will need to be replaced.  A recent report from Indiana University shows that over the past 20 years, 31 million students start college and don't receive their degree.  Every year billions of people make new year resolutions to change their lives in some significant way but only 8% actually achieve their goal?  Why is that?

There are too many reasons to list here.  Suffice it to say that things happen.  Life gets in the way.  We loose our motivation and we fall back into old habits.  I heard it said once that a "rut" is just a grave with the ends kicked out.  So how do we climb out of the ruts we make for ourselves?

Each of you has planted a seed... a Wood Badge seed.  You continue to cultivate it, nourish it, and watch it grow.  I want to encourage you to continue on your path to completing your tickets so your harvest will be realized.

I found 7 principles to help you finish strong.

1- Goals - You have set the goal to attend Wood Badge.  Congratulations!  You all have completed this first goal.  Each of you also has set 5 other goals called a ticket that you are working toward completing.  Congratulations is again in order for those of you have had completed some of those goals.  You each have a goal to receive your Wood Badge Beads, Neckerchief and Woggle as well.  But I submit this is not the end fruit of your labors, although significant.  I submit it is the impact you will have on the lives of young men the rest of your lives.  Your ultimate goal should be to inspire young men to emulate your character as you strive to live a life based in the mission and vision of the BSA and as you do your duty to God and Country.

2- Commitment - Don't forget the commitment you made to yourself when you began this journey.  You also likely committed to family, friends, church members, and young men that you would finish.  Your example to personal commitment can leave a lasting impact on young men.  I encourage you to stay committed to your goals.

3-Purpose - Remember why you began this journey in the first place.  Many times the original purpose for beginning a worthy goal can change as your perspective of the importance of the journey is realized.  I hope your purpose for finishing your ticket and receiving your beads has broadened and encompassed the vision and mission of the scouting program.  Remember to zoom out if you get caught up in the minutia of the task at hand.  The vision can bring you back on course.

4-Patience - 18 months is a long time.  Some of your ticket may be difficult to realize and may take some time.  Don't expect results immediately.  Remember that some of the most beautiful things in life take time to develop.  If you hit a dead end, don't give up.  Breathe deep and remember that you are not alone.  You have a patrol of peers ready to help at any given moment.  These are friends who are on the very same journey.  Reach out and reach up for help.

5- Passion - We live in a world fraught with evil influences pulling and prodding our youth in ever direction but upward. If ever there was a time in our history when they need the help of qualified, caring, and passionate adult leaders it is now.  Your passion for helping youth can be a great source for pushing through difficulties.  Remember the boys and how much they need our help.

6-Strength - Strength can come in numbers.  I've already alluded to this.  Your individual strength is an asset not only to yourself but to others in your patrol.  Don't wait for others to ask for help.  Proactively reach out and lend a hand.  Strength will come as you continue to work as a team to help the others achieve their goals and realize their harvest.  Remember the competitions on course and the aha moment when you realized it wasn't just about you?  Use your strength to help your team mates and watch as you all rise together.

7- Integrity - Be true to yourself and to this great cause.  Don't cheat yourself by cutting corners on your ticket.  You should look back and be proud of what you have accomplished and the difference you have made in the lives of those you serve.  Be true to the principles you have learned and the mission of the BSA.  Your integrity to yourself and this program should drive you to finish and be a life long contributor to the future of our church, our country, and individual boys and families for generations to come.

Gordon B. Hinckley once said:

“…of those who begin with noble objectives, but then slow down, or of those who are strong starters and weak finishers. So many in the game of life get to first base, or second, or even third, but then fail to score. They are inclined to live unto themselves, denying their generous instincts, grasping for possessions and in their self-centered, uninspired living, sharing neither talent nor faith with others. Of them the Lord has said: “And this shall be your lamentation in the day of visitation, and of judgment, and of indignation: The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved!” (D&C 56:16).

 It is my sincerest wish that you can finish strong and realize a bounteous harvest lifting and encouraging others along the way through servant leadership. May the Lord bless you in your efforts to be a shining example to the young men in your lives.

YIS - Tom Brand

The Regal Eagle

A couple of fruits from my labors:

Tucker Johnson Eagle COH with Mike Scott.

Tucker Johnson looks Liberty the Eagle in the eye.

Tucker Johnson and Noah Uffens Eagle Court of Honor 9/2015

Bead Me!

Ok, so let's get back to business here already!  The Church has made it official that, at least for the time being, we are staying the course with the BSA. So let's stay focused on completing our tickets so we can be an influence in the lives of our boys in our units and lead and teach future teachers and leaders!  I hope you are all having great experiences as you work hard to implement what you learned on course.

I was listening to a conference talk the other day about a man who after 30 years of leaving a 6th grade paper unfinished, finally sat down, scratched out the ending, and put it in the mail to his teacher. When she opened the envelope and discovered the contents she said, "I was amazed and wondered what made Jimmy finish his story. What kind of vision, determination, and effort had been required in this task? Why do any of us finish a hard task, especially if no one demands its completion?"  

Why is finishing so important?  It's been said that the doors of history open and close on small hinges.  Can you imagine our world if Christopher Columbus almost discovered America, or if there was almost a Revolutionary War for our independence?  What if there was almost a Declaration of Independence.  Well, then, there would almost be an America.  

Think about it from a spiritual side.  What if Adam and Eve had almost partaken of the fruit.  We would almost exist!  How about Joseph Smith.  What if he almost prayed in the grove of trees that spring morning.  We would almost have the Book of Mormon, restored priesthood keys, and the restoration of the living gospel.  And what about Christ.  What if he almost completed the atonement.  We would almost have hope, almost have faith, almost have purpose, almost be saved.

In every task, at least any that is worth doing, there is going to be opposition.  Whether it be outside influences and distractions, or our own demons we fight with inside such as fear, doubt, laziness, or lack of determination.  When we are faced with those rough patches in the road of life, we need to dig deep and find the determination to fight through it.  It's more of a mental game than the task being difficult.  But once we get through the opposition and complete the task, the feeling of accomplishment is undeniable.  The harder the task, the greater the reward.

So my Bobwhite friends; please stay the course.  If adjustments need to be made to tickets, let's make them.  If you need any help or advice, let me know.  But most of all, lean on each other as a patrol and ask one another for help!  Don't let the span of time since May create a void in what you shared on course.  Your on going meetings will help in that effort and your enthusiasm for completing your tickets will be bolstered as you experience the brotherhood of scouting in your own Wood Badge Patrol.

God bless you all in your journey.  And remember what Lord Baden Powell himself said, "We never fail when we try to do our duty, we always fail when we neglect to do it."

YIS

Tom Brand

The Regal Eagle

The Last Leaf

As you all are aware, the BSA national board voted to change the adult leadership requirements for units and have lifted the ban on homosexual leadership.  This was done without the input from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, despite their request to have the vote delayed until they were able to be present.  Due to the results of the vote, and in my opinion more due to the blatant disregard for the request of one of (if not the largest) supporting Chartered Organizations, the Church gave a press release including this statement:

"When the leadership of the Church resumes its regular schedule of meetings in August, the century-long association with Scouting will need to be examined. "

That's a loaded statement.  Here's why.

I remember attending a round table not very many years ago where one of the BSA Church liason's presented in place of Charles Dahlquist who was scheduled to be the key note speaker but had a last minute conflict.  I don't remember the brother's name.  That's not really important.  What is important is that he addressed the rumor that has been floating around the LDS community for the last couple of decades that the Scouting program is in trouble and that the Church is going to sever ties with the BSA and start it's own program.  He emphatically denied any such rumor and insisted that the program was as strong as it ever has been and the Church's support of it the same - stronger than ever.  I jumped on the bandwagon at the time and full heartedly supported everything he said.  And at the time, I believe he was telling the truth and I believe it was the truth.  But so much can change so quickly.  It's mind boggling.  Unfortunately, and officially, that isn't the case anymore according to the press release.  It doesn't say the church is going to sever ties yet, but when the church decides to finally make public its concerns about affiliating with an organization, it typically isn't long before the rubber hits the road and the Church is long gone.

I have been hanging on to hope like the last leaf on a tree before the winter season finally arrives and plunges everything into a deep freeze.  I have followed the council of Elder Holland to pray for the BSA.  I even wrote to the Key Three and voiced my concerns and got a reply from the new President Robert Gates.  You can read that below with his response.  I didn't want this to end this way.  I still don't want it to end this way.  And the fact of the matter is, we don't know how it will end, if it ends at all.  All we can do is pray and hope for the best.  Never has the leadership of our church had more of a need for our united prayers than now.  Not just for the future of our boys, but for the future of the whole human race.  These are troubled times indeed.

So my message for August, although it may at first blush seem bleak, is one of hope.  We just finished a great Wood Badge leadership course. Each of you is working your ticket.  Each of you should continue to finish strong what you have set out to do.  If there are specific tickets that need to be altered due to one thing or another, let's visit and get those changed.  But let's not throw out the baby with the bath water.  Not just yet anyway.  We can continue to be positive influences in the lives of young boys and young men.  We can continue to teach by precept and example the traditional values of the Scout Oath and Law.  We can continue to strive to encourage the mission and vision of the BSA as it was originally intended.  And we can earnestly pray for guidance and direction for our leaders for the future of the Young Men's program of our church.  I believe with all my heart that the very best outcome will be realized as we exercise our faith and put our trust in those we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators, whether that be a continued relationship with the BSA, a new church based program, or something else.

May God bless you as you serve the young men you have the privilege of being stewards over and may He bless those who will be making critical decisions in the short weeks ahead.

Yours,

Tom Brand

Dear Key Three,

I know I am one of thousands who have taken the time to write to you about my thoughts and concerns.  You certainly have heard strong arguments from both sides of the isle on the issue of lifting the ban on homosexuality membership for adult leaders.

In an effort to remain brief, I simply want an explanation once the decision comes down.  I am praying that the standard will remain the same but quite honestly that prayer is without hope or faith in the desired outcome.  I know the board will make the decision and the requirement will change to allow homosexual leadership but my question still must be answered.

First and foremost, the whole purpose of the BSA movement is to teach young men to live their lives morally and ethically into adulthood.  When the movement decides to remove an absolutely necessary pillar on which the whole of the program stands, how do you as an organization plan to continue your mission?  I want to know what the definition of "morally straight" is for the BSA in 2015.  And if that definition can change, what of the other points of the Oath and Law.  

When the integrity of the words "morally straight" are compromised, there is no stopping the demise of all the other points of the oath and law that form the foundation of the movement.  It is crumbling beneath us and the current path is quite truly, as our new president Dr. Gates has said, "unsustainable".  

I urge you to fight this battle.  It is worth fighting.  Be brave to stand for morality.  Be loyal to the cause of the BSA, and be reverent toward God and his laws.  You can do this and still be trustworthy, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, and cheerful.  Obedience must be to the laws of God first and then to man's laws - and yes we must love all mankind but not at the sacrifice of our own standards.  This is certainly not a thrifty undertaking as it will likely cost millions of dollars to battle but it is worth it. And washing your hands by rolling over is not the same as being clean.  Clean is clean of conscience knowing you have stood for what you believe in to protect the integrity of the program.  Do what is right and let the consequence follow - whatever that may be.

I will continue to pray for you.  These are difficult times and you need the help of the Almighty more than ever.  I trust that you will seek that divine guidance as you consider this most weighty matter.

YIS 

Tom Brand

Dear Mr. Brand,

Thank you for sharing your views. As I said a year ago, I had hoped this issue could be set aside. The rapidly changing legal environment, as well as internal challenges, have not afforded us that luxury.

I assure you that I am committed to the values expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. My intent is to preserve the Boy Scouts of America in recognition of all the movement has done for me and our country.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Gates

National President of the Boy Scouts of America

Brave, Clean, and Reverent

June 26, 2015 is a day we will always remember.  Yes it was a day when same-sex marriage was legalized in all 50 states by a ruling by the Supreme Court.  But aside from the fact that the very institution of marriage that has served as the foundation of healthy societies since the beginning of time was significantly altered, and the future of our nation and world hang in the balance; there is even more at stake.  Freedom itself is in jeopardy.  Our very system of government has taken a significant blow and unless we right this ship we are headed for very troubled waters.

The system of checks and balances is out of balance.  When we have our chief justice and half of the court writing such scathing dissenting arguments in a landmark case, it only goes to prove the division that this country is experiencing.  I dare say that Abraham Lincoln would not have wished to be in our day any more than his own.  The dissent is more about the courts usurpation of power to legislate than the moral bearings of the nation.  The court is making law from the bench, and that is exactly what our system is supposed to check.  Chief Justice Roberts said in his dissent, "If you are among the many Americans—of whatever sexual orientation—who favor expanding same-sex marriage, by all means celebrate today’s decision. Celebrate the achievement of a desired goal. Celebrate the opportunity for a new expression of commitment to a partner. Celebrate the availability of new benefits. But do not celebrate the Constitution. It had nothing to do with it."

With all of this, the President of the Boy Scouts of America is suggesting that on a national level we change the membership requirements to allow homosexual leadership into the program.  This is a political move to stay a step ahead of the government in an effort to continue to protect our religious liberties and allow each individual unit to operate under their own guidelines for membership.  This would mean that the LDS units would continue to espouse the edict of living "morally straight" as it was intended in the original law.  But others will allow homosexuals into leadership positions.

I personally do not see how this is sustainable and quite honestly I worry about the future of the BSA.  Our own Elder Jeffery R. Holland urged us to pray for the BSA.  He said,

"We have a lot of work ahead of us,...We need to pray.  We are at a difficult moment in the nation's history where wonderful institutions like the BSA, and supporting organizations like the Church, will need to be brave, clean, and reverent.  We're going to need God's help, but we'll have it.  The BSA will need God's help but they're entitled to it.  Church leaders need God's help and we'll have it."

So while I personally struggle with recent history and the direction of our great nation and the BSA, I have made a decision that I am going to cling to hope.  I am going to pray that Divine guidance will bless the leaders of the BSA, the Church, and our great nation.  And more than ever, I will work to teach our youth the values and ethics that has been the tradition of the BSA since its inception.  Now more than ever the youth need these values.  Now more than ever they need leadership to help them navigate this dark and dreary world.  Now more than ever they need good, morally straight, clean, brave, and reverent leadership to show the way; to lead from the front.  Now more than ever they need to understand their civic duties and be involved in their neighborhoods and communities.  Now more than ever they need to understand the foundations of this great nation and it's moorings to all that the oath and law stand for.  Now more than ever we need to help tie it all together for them so they can see the greater picture and work toward the greater good.

What the future of the BSA will look like, I do not know.  What I do know is that the mission and vision of the program is true and based on heavenly principles.  That can not be altered.

One last thought.  It was pointed out to me the other day by my good Stake President that the Prophet is not just the Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He is also the prophet for the whole world.  And we have a commandment to be in the world, but not of the world so that we can be the salt that lends savor.  We can be the leaven that raises the whole.  So even though the BSA may seem to be an unnecessary program for the LDS Church - that "we can do it better on our own", I think President Monson as a prophet, seer, and revelator and the other 14 members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve see the program as a means to do good in the world at large.  It is still a good program and we should continue to pray that it will have positive influences in the lives of boys everywhere.  I for one will continue to be a champion for the values and mission the BSA established as a beacon of hope for a better future.

YIS - Tom Brand - The Regal Eagle

Living the Values

Dear Bobwhite Patrol,

I hope this entry finds you all well, happy, and engaged!

Wood Badge has five central themes of emphasis that form the foundation for future success in your scouting efforts.  Those five areas of focus are as follows:

1. Living the Values - Values, Mission, and Vision
2. Bringing the Vision to Life - Listening to learn; Communication' Leveraging Diversity Through Inclusiveness; Generations in Scouting; Coaching and Mentoring
3. Models for Success - Stages of Team Development; The Leading EDGE/ The Teaching EDGE
4. Tools of the Trade - Project Planning; Leading Change; Decision Making and Problem Solving; Managing Conflict; Self-Assessment
5. Leading to Make a Difference - Servant Leadership; Leaving a Legacy

My focus in this post is on the first theme of Living the Values. 

Jesus Christ had love and patience for everyone.  Everyone but the hypocrite it seems (Matthew Chapter 23).  Asking boys to live the values of the BSA without modeling the example is hypocrisy.  The beauty of the program is that not only does it make the boys better boys and future men, it makes the men and women who are leading them now better by expecting role model leadership. (and yes, the Lord loves the sinner - not the sin)

No one of us is perfect.  We have made and will continue to make mistakes as we lead young men through the scouting program.  But if we and they have a solid understanding of the vision and mission of the BSA, and an understanding that this is a journey we are all on, we will continue to grow together and strengthen the values that are at the core of the program.

Remember back on course during the game of life?  One of the facilitators of the "Win All You Can" game has the nickname "Captain Chaos" for a reason.  The game is designed to simulate high stress environments and conflict within a team to draw out certain emotions.  It's critical that those emotions are felt and real for the model to work.  At the end of the game, the facilitators pointed out that there were a dozen or more young men watching us throughout the process.  Again, this was calculated to accentuate the effect of real life situations and real life emotions boys feel as they storm in any given situation.  For adults to put it into context and feel those emotions, and then receive instruction while they are raw is most effective to help them with empathetic communications with the boys.  It also helps the adults check their own emotions and the actions tied to those emotions as they try to model the values of the scouting program... even in difficult situations.

Living the values was probably one of my biggest takeaways from my course.  I had a realization that if I was truly going to lead these boys, I had to model good behavior - everywhere - all the time - no matter the circumstances.  I had to believe myself that I had made a commitment to live the values inherent in the Oath and Law.

Did I mean it when I raised my arm to the square with the scout sign and pledged to DO MY BEST to do my duty to God?  Was I positive in my church calling.  Was I modeling my "best" in my efforts to fulfill my church responsibilities?  What about to my country?  Was I voting?  Was I participating in civic and community events and showing my support to make my neighborhood, state and country better?  Was I DOING MY BEST to obey the Scout Law?  Had I truly put my HONOR at stake and my personal reputation to really do my best?  It caused me serious reflection and for the first time in my life I really pondered the oath I had stood and recited for years and years of scouting.  I wanted the words, "On my honor" to mean something and have power.  The only way to give those words power I realized was through my actions. 

Remember Baden Powell's quote about the religious "side" of the Boy Scout Movement.  "There is no religious side.  Religion is the whole of it, that is on the realization and service of God."

So as you continue forward in your journey, I want you to take some time and really internalize the values of the scouting program.  Ponder their meaning to you in your own personal lives as heads of families, as partners in marriage, as leaders of boys, and as members of your church and community.  Consider how closely knitted together the BSA values and the LDS Church's values are.  As adults we make sacred covenants with God in his Holy Temple.  These young men are modeling a future event in their own lives and don't yet understand its significance.  If you can help them understand now through scouting, it will have much more power and efficacy later in their lives as they make and strive to keep greater and more significant promises.

Strive for personal improvement and God bless you as you improve step by step.  As you make subtle changes in your own lives, the boys, and others will notice and want to follow your example.  Take opportunities to teach them why you are the way you are and why you do what you do.  Tie it back to the oath and law and your duty to God.  Help them understand that scouting is profoundly religious with fun activities that accentuate the vibrance life has to offer.  Patiently watch them and you will see them begin to catch the vision themselves.

YIS - Tom Brand - The Regal Eagle

Back to Gilwell Happy Land!

My Dearest Bobwhites -

What an amazing journey we have had going through Wood Badge!  There have been many lessons learned and friendships gained.  I cherish the time we've spent together and look forward to years of friendship and service as we continue this great journey to be positive influences in the lives of boys. It is my sincere hope that you have a deep desire to leave a legacy in scouting for all who cross your path.

As you begin working your ticket back to Gilwell, I want to assure you all of my support and encouragement along the way.  My role over the course of the training changed from Den Chief to Troop Guide and now I am a "Ticket Counselor".  It is my responsibility and privilege to help each of you over the next 18 months with the completion of the ticket you have created for yourselves.  If there are questions, concerns, struggles, failures, or successes I want to know about them!  Stretch yourselves and do hard things or you'll never know what you are capable of!

In an effort to stay in touch, I have created this blog and plan to post once a month something of value to help each of you along the way to success.  It may be an inspirational story, something from the course syllabus, a reminder of experiences we had together, or something else I feel inspired to share.  In any case, I hope it finds you well, happy, and engaged.

God bless each of you as you work your tickets back to Gilwell, that happy land, where the brotherhood of Scouting lives on in the hearts of all who have entered it's verdant field.

YIS - Tom Brand - The Regal Eagle

 - THE OAK TREE -
A mighty wind blew night and day.
It stole the oak trees leaves away.
Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark.
Until the oak was tired and stark
But still the oak tree held its ground
While other trees fell all around.
The weary wind gave up and spoke,
"How can you still be standing Oak?"
The Oak Tree said,
"I know that you can break each branch of mine in two,
Carry every leaf away,
Shake my limbs and make me sway,
But I have roots stretched in the earth,
Growing stronger since my birth.
You'll never touch them, for you see,
They are the deepest part of me.
Until today I wasn't sure
Of just how much I could endure.
But now I've found with thanks to you,
I'm stronger than I ever knew.
 - Johnny J. Rider Jr.