February 5, 2001
DOWN HOME:
At least he didn't lead a charge into history books
___Just when you think you've talked about everything at the dinner table, up pops another great conversation.
___Joanna's a terrific cook, but the best part of mealtime around the kitchen table isn't the food. It's the talks with our girls, Lindsay and Molly.
___Not too long ago, Molly mentioned a classmate at Huffines Middle School. His last name is Pickett.
MARV KNOX
Editor
___When she paused to take a breath, I asked Molly, "Is this Pickett kid any kin to ..."
___"The general who fought in the Civil War?" she interrupted, finishing my question. "Yes."
___"Well, cool," I responded."How many kids get to go to school with someone who's related to one of the most noted generals in one of the great battles of all time?"
___I proceeded to tell Molly and Lindsay about George Edward Pickett, a Confederate general who led the bloodiest charge of the bloodiest battle of the bloodiest war. Following orders of Gen. Robert E. Lee, Pickett's troops attacked Cemetery Ridge at Gettysburg. Three-fourths of Pickett's troops were lost that afternoon, the turning point of the war.
___L and M's eyes had about glazed over by the time I completed my history lesson. (Just like they get bored-- can you imagine it?--with my recounting of the Battle of the Alamo.) But Molly snapped awake when I suggested, "The next time we're at your school, why don't you introduce me to this kid? I'd love to meet him--or better yet, his dad."
___"No, Daddy, no!" Molly retorted. "I'd never hear the end of it: 'There goes Molly. Her dad's a nut.'"
___Funny how conversations can turn. One minute, I'm regaling the girls (OK, regaling myself) with a spirited account of Gettysburg, and the next minute, you'd think I was the one who led the wrong-headed and fateful charge into enemy territory. And just because I would like to meet a kid whose great-great-great grandpappy was a Civil War legend.
___In case you haven't noticed, kids aren't much impressed with history. In their minds, I'm ancient. So why would they want to take time to hear about a general who spent his life on a horse and died in 1875?
___Come to think of it, maybe not that much has changed. When I was their age, I was more concerned about what happened the previous weekend than what happened in a long-over war. And I would've been mortified if my dad had suggested striking up a conversation with one of my friends about a dead general from any war.
___Ultimately, both my kids and I are children of God, the Lord of all history. And rather than worry about being embarrassed by our Heavenly Father, we should spend our lifetimes in faithful service, making sure we are not an embarrassment to him.
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