This I Believe: Bob Gordon

As delivered to the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County on Sunday, February 8, 2009:

I WAS ASKED TO GIVE A SHORT TALK, INSPIRED BY THE NPR SERIES, “THIS I BELIEVE.”

I HAD A FIT … [THAT’S THE TITLE]

THIS IS [PART OF] WHAT I BELIEVE

I recently read a NY Times Magazine article on discovering his genome, by Steven Pinker, a Harvard College Professor of Psychology.

Pinker described a mix of three determinants that distinguish the individual: nature, nurture, and “brute chance.” He used this latter term, in part, to account for changes in the chemical soup that can affect a biological entity (such as gene mutation). Alterations can occur to gene components, affecting the actions of those that control when - or if - an activity starts or stops, or the faithfulness of replication.

How, when and to what extents the three determinants contribute are unpredictable variables.

Aside from the fascinating science – or conjecture, if you prefer - what resonated with me … what I found useful and appealing … is the way Pinker references attributes that describe the individual, such as one’s natural inclinations to novelty-seeking, sensation seeking, sexual preference, religiosity, political orientation, openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, selfishness, being a thinker, and more - or their opposites - as well as the accidents of life and our reactions to them, all of which collectively describe one’s unique persona.

I believe that Ethical Culture, by its nature, and by its membership and leadership (its nurture), is unparalleled in providing the welcome stimulation to my nature … in providing the panoply of keys that match to my personal receptors ... those gradations and the mix of attributes that define me, warts and all …the prickles, goodnesses and predilections.

In President Obama’s inauguration speech, he used a phrase: “to choose our better history.” I don’t know to what extent I chose my history by associating with ECS 40 years ago, as opposed to just happenstancing into it. I guess that I represent the “brute chance” for the change in the chemical soup of my adult life. But the whole of it all, as I said up front, comes to: “I had a fit.”

I believe I have grown as a result … and, hopefully, added something to ECS in return.

Joseph Addison has said: “Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.”

I believe that these too are given me by ECS.

I believe I am enriched thereby.

And I believe that to the extent that any of us wants to partake, the same is available to all.

A Tree Falls in Teaneck

While sitting in my car on Sunday afternoon awaiting the return of the Ethical Culture Sunday school trip from a nearby Islamic Center, winds suddenly whipped and snow squalls rapidly whitened the ground. A loud crack sounded outside the car and I watched a 50' pine topple to the ground and land harmlessly some 10 or 15 feet from where I sat. It completely blocked the entrance to our small parking lot, trapping four vehicles inside and slightly bending the Ethical Culture sign at the lot entrance. It caused no damage or injuries otherwise.

Ten miles to the north a tall oak fell across my backyard, victim to a similar unexpected gust and emitter of a similar loud crack. Moments before, the family dog Kipling had barked to be let in at the back door, thereby safely avoiding a possible confrontation he couldn't have won.

It must have been our lucky day. The following is an account of the incident from Bob Gordon, President of the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County, as well as a member of the building committee. Photos are courtesy Leigh Roumila:



To All:

The Society suffered what has turned out to be a minor calamity today (Sunday), but could have been disastrous. Sometime around 4 pm, the wind brought down a huge pine tree on our property. I estimate that the part that fell was 50 feet, or more, in length. The tree was near the cyclone fence, in the area between the entryway walks and the driveway. It fell diagonally, towards the neighbor to the east, but across the driveway and angled towards the street. It actually reached to the curbing of the street.

Had it fallen more directly onto North Street, it would have crushed the car parked at the curb, in which Ken Karp was sitting, awaiting his daughter's leaving a meeting at the building.

Had it fallen in other directions, it could have totalled ALL the cars in the parking lot, besides destroying the fences.

Had someone been on the sidewalk where it came down, there would have been a death!!

Fortunately, there was no property damage or injury, except for a crimp in the sign that warns non-members not to park in our lot.

The tree itself looks healthy when you examine the stump; it must have been a freak gust that hit it just so. There had been a snow squall about that time.

Many people pitched in to clear the parking lot blockage and other debris. Leigh and Tayeb Roumila plus Issa and Liam were there ... Tayeb with his chain saw. Susan Lesh and son Ben, helped as well, including Ken and Maddie Karp, using loppers and muscles to cut and drag the limbs to a pile out of the way. And I added my own chain saw/muscle power to the mix.

We are left with massive mounds of boughs and large lengths of the tree body to reduce in size and dispose of.

As it happened, there was a group of Unitarians meeting at the building this afternoon, whose cars were trapped in the parking lot until we cleared it. They had failed to leave their phone numbers, so could not be told when the exit got cleared.

Despite the loss of the beautiful tree, we are collectively extravagantly grateful that there were no injuries or loss of property!!!! I shudder to think of what might have happened.

Thanks to everyone who helped with the cleanup. Once the power tools were available, it went very quickly.

Bob

PS: If another calamity seems imminent, I am going to hang close to Ken Karp.