Archive: Opinions

About 18 years ago my cousin told me of a saying from the Talmud that says there are three things a man ought to do before he dies: plant a tree, have a child and write a book.  Various versions of that saying attribute it to a Chinese proverb, a Mexican saying, and Balzac.  I think the Chinese version conveys the meaning they all intend: for a person to achieve immortality, he must sire a son, plant a tree, and write a book.

Here in Lansing you could easily add building a playground to the list.  Not only did the cadre of volunteers who showed up to create an amazing new playground have a great time, but they created something lasting that will help shape Lansing children for at least 30 years to come.

In the short run it also helped shape the community.  Many volunteers said they enjoyed meeting new people, fellow Lansing residents they had never seen before.  The build was technically a series of work sessions, but they had the feeling of celebrations as volunteers worked together, chatted together, ate together, and focussed on a common goal.  Project designer Marc Leathers observed that this level of volunteerism is a Lansing tradition, with many of the pavilions in the town parks, the band stand, and even the community center projects donated to the town by the Lansing Lions, and others donating time, effort, and money to the town ball parks.

People are buzzing about the project, the fact that it was entirely community based, funded, and executed.  At a town meeting with County Legislator Pat Pryor Monday, one resident said that the County should cut back on paying for some services, replacing them with volunteer efforts like the playground project.  Perhaps she is right.  Volunteers raised $130,000 in only four months.  People will chip in for projects they care about.  It's kind of a great way to see what residents care about.

When my cousin told me of the proverb I had just had a child, and had already planted a tree and written a book.  He said I'd done it all.  But the fact is that there is always more to do, and the kind of immortality the playground volunteers achieved over the last two weeks will impact real people here in our town for some time to come.

And it's cool.  And it's fun!  You should have seen the stampede of children and adults alike after the brief dedication ceremony Saturday.  In that moment the playground was transformed from a building site to a frenetic, joyful place where the community can gather and share good times.  That's the kind of immortality everyone can enjoy.

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