Cook on Concord: Time flies and world perspectives

Honoring a local centenarian; traveling abroad while war rages nearby

Brad Cook

Just about 10 years ago in this column, I wrote about a remarkable woman turning 90. Lilly Mae Bynum, an African American woman from Goffstown, who, with her family, moved to that rural NH town in 1961 and became a fixture in the town and region. On a recent Saturday in April, I attended her 100th birthday celebration at the Stone Bridge Country Club.

What was so impressive about the celebration was the attendance at the event by people from Mrs. Bynum’s neighborhood, including all of the children from relatively large families. Now in their 60s and 70s, they were the kids in multiple-children families nearby who benefitted from Mrs. Bynum’s invitations to stay overnight in her gazebo, or sat on the steps and talked to her about life.

Mrs. Bynum’s husband, Bruce, after a career in the military, settled in New Hampshire, with his family of seven children, and wanted them to have a rural life. He ended up a selectman in the town, and they excelled in sports and academics, went on to college at UNH and elsewhere, and ultimately had careers in academics, law, writing, show business and other distinguished careers all over the country.

Seeing several generations of Goffstown residents, color blind on this occasion, was a testament to what America can and should be — mostly because of the humanity of a great woman, now 100! When I recently visited her, she was making a list of those candidates she thought she could vote for in 2028 — pretty good optimism for a 100-year-old!

However, people should not forget that she delivered generations of children at Catholic Medical Center and Notre Dame Hospital before it, and meets people all the time who remember her from the delivery room. Her attendance at daily Mass at the local Catholic Church, where she undoubtedly prays for her children, grandchildren and others, also is a model for others, Happy birthday, Mrs. Bynum! From the end of March for two weeks, Kathy and I had the opportunity to travel from Athens to Istanbul, and then on to Cappadocia in central Turkey. Visiting Crete, Rhodes, Ephesus and Troy, prior to getting to the largest and most interesting city in Turkey, was a rare treat.

Ephesus, in particular, where St. Paul made and sold tents to the locals before preaching the Gospel to many in the huge arena, was inspirational. Seeing Istanbul, straddling two continents and controlling the entrance to the Black Sea, was instructive in world dynamics as mere reading cannot be.

As an American visiting that part of the world when we were engaged in a war against Iran not too far away, with people from many countries on the ship we were on, was interesting. No one was hostile, and the people in the sites we visited were most welcoming.

Those on the ship from Europe, Africa, Norway, Sweden and Canada were friendly but curious about how our country could have evolved into one so different from that which they remember. When we assured them not all U.S. citizens approved of the present situation, they were reassured and still friendly.

However, they all stressed how painful increased prices imposed as the result of our country’s unilateral actions were, which was a reminder of how their friendly nature might hide lasting resentments of America.

Apart from politics and policy observations, however, is how special visiting places like Crete, with its history of helping defeat the Nazis in World War II, is.

The wonders of the Parthenon, history of Ephesus, wonders of Rhodes or splendor of Turkey are should spur everyone to travel.

Going on to the center of Asian Turkey, the wonders of Cappadocia demonstrate the natural wonders of erosion from volcanic formations. At the same time, visiting caves and mysterious formations, and then underground formations that challenge the human form, are fascinating.

Staying in caves transformed into five-star hotels is unique and fun. Taking hot air balloon rides at sunrise and viewing the countryside from them, as the pilots maneuver around the geologic foundations and then land on trailers behind pickup trucks is a testament to the skills learned from multiple trips.

The attitudes of people encountered on the trip was interesting. No one mentioned the wars, although they questioned what we thought about leadership in our country. They mentioned cost increases in their economic situations. They expressed the desire that we all could act together and avoid wars or extreme political situation. In short, it seemed they wanted peace and normal life.

At least to this observer, it looks like we have an obligation to the world not to do sudden and unexpected things without consulting our allies. The world expects U.S. leadership, not irresponsibility.

Think about it.

Brad Cook is a Manchester attorney. The views expressed in this column are his own. He can be reached at bradfordcook01@gmail.com.