CHAPTER 40 - CONCLUSIONS
From Richard's memoirs, recovered from his original WordPerfect files
When my Dad came on the stage at my “This is Your Life, Bishop Clarke” tribute and Bishop Zierenberg explained to Dad what was happening, Dad said: “They don’t know the half of it!”
As I come to the end of this personal history and recollections of mine, I realize that this isn’t the half of it and probably not even a tenth of it. It would be impossible to record everything that has happened in my life or affected my thinking. I have attempted to record the more important things that I can remember and can only hope that it will give my posterity an appreciation for and an understanding of those things that had meaning in my life and may have a good influence upon them. I have also recorded some less important things in my life, but still those that have had a bearing on my life.
Some people will say: “Life is not Fair.” Personally, I have always felt that life has been fair and good to me. The problems that have come into my life have been usually the results of my doings and for which I must accept the responsibility. We were place upon this good earth to enjoy life and to be happy. For the most part I have always been happy. I believe that the optimistic viewpoint by far exceed the pessimistic.
My employment for all my working years has been such that I believe I have given service to mankind. Particularly my 22 years at UCLA contributing to the expansion of the physical facilities of the University for its educational purposes, and the 10 years I spent working for the UCLA Hospital where my objective always was to contribute to improving patient care. This type of work has its own reward and I am grateful for the opportunities that I have had to make such contributions.
I am now in the 73rd year of my life, which has exceeded the normal three score and ten alloted to man, and I suppose if I continue to live for another ten years or more I probably should supplement this history. At least Chapters 28 and 32. We’ll see. This has been quite a project for me, having spent a good six months working on it almost constantly, much to DeVonne’s amazement. When I started this she had no idea of to what extent it would reach, and neither did I. Again I must be thankful for the age of home computers, without which this would never have been accomplished.
One of the greatest things a person can learn in this life is to be able to get along with other people. To be able to communicate with them, teach them, and learn from them. If one can learn to do this I believe he will be a great success in whatever field he chooses for his life work. If he is proficient in this, he can write his own ticket.
In my life I believe that, for the most part, I have been able to get along with others quite well. I have enjoyed many fine relationships with many people. They have taught me much and, I hope, I have taught them some useful things.
When one gets to my age we find the clock has nearly run down. That which used to be done easily is now difficult. The body does not respond like it used to. The five senses become faulty, particularly, the eyesight and the hearing. Stll, in all, we are told that from the day we are born, we are in the process of dying. I accept all this and have no fear of death. My only concern is that I can live out my life in such a manner that I will not be a burden upon DeVonne, my children or anyone else.
My Grandparents Seneca A. Smith and Nancy Ellen West used to sing this little ditty together:
“Days and years revolve but slowly
Time is precious to the young
In the hope of coming pleasure
Oft we wish our days were done.
Soon they fly we know not whither
Age comes on us unaware
All our hopes and promised pleasures
Pass away with passing years.
Grandmother said: “I always liked this sentiment -
How true to life.”