When It's Time To Wrap Up
But I'm not alone. A cursory glance reveals others engaged in individual struggles to "wrap up" their own projects.
An acquaintance, successful in business but embracing retirement, mentions involvement in a ministry unrelated to his occupation. "It's going well," he says, "and that gives purpose to my life." Though career is being wrapped up, the need for continued fulfillment is not.
Now serving his final legislative term, another friend's intense desire to breathe life into dead legislation drives him relentlessly. This is his wrap up finale; there won't be another chance.
And speaking of a father who never shared his experiences in World War II with his family, a woman admits her present confusion. The war dominates her father's conversation in the sunset of his life, and events and people from 60 years past are more real to him than today's news. He wants his final wrap up to be remembered as important.
At age 81, Benjamin Franklin was in such poor health that he had to be carried into the 1787 Constitutional Convention in a sedan chair. Though not agreeing with portions of the proposed document, he nevertheless exercised his considerable influence to wrap up the tortuous debate--and set the wheels of a new government to rolling.
"I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them; for having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise. It is therefore that the older I grow, the more apt I am to doubt my own judgment, and to pay more respect to the judgment of others.…Thus I consent, Sir, to this Constitution because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best."
Bringing closure to a grand project may uncover many a surprise. Or peculiar changes of behavior. Even unexpected decisions.
I have often told writing classes that I never actually finish an article. Time just runs out, compelling me to quit. But last minute slashes with the red pen produce dramatic changes to tie up loose ends: substituted words, banished sentences, flip-flopped paragraphs. Quick moves belie my typically methodical plodding. And the process sheds light on the seemingly perplexing actions of others who themselves may be wrapping up one thing or another--even life itself.
And when we're wrapping up our respective endeavors--as I do now with this column--it would be a fitting outcome to be able to honestly assess our expectations and conclude, "I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best."
Copyright 2003 James McAlister
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