The Grudge

            George Washington was a great man, but he was not perfect. In 1798, he allowed himself to be swayed by Alexander Hamilton into taking command of the United States Armed Forces. (Washington was concerned about a potential French invasion.)

            John Adams was president, and you might imagine how difficult it was for him to give up his role as commander in chief. He resented the fact that members of his cabinet had been working behind the scenes against him, and that Washington allowed himself to be involved in the process. Because of this, historian Joseph Ellis wrote, “… Adams, who believed that holding grudges was a measure of personal integrity, never forgave him….”

            John Adams’ reason for maintaining a grudge is a common one. He (and those like him) mistakenly believed that holding a grudge is a  badge of honor. Sadly, this idea is mistaken. Holding a grudge is a sign of self-righteousness.

Those Who Have Gone Before

Count me among the many who have appreciated David McCullough’s fine book, JOHN ADAMS, and the Tom Hanks’ produced mini-series of the same title. In one of the early episodes, I was reminded of the tremendous sacrifice members of the American Colonies offered up.

In the early 1770s, John Adams is off trying to lay the groundwork in the Continental Congress that would ultimately lead to our independence. Meanwhile, his wife, Abigail, is at home with their four children. The scourge of small pox has hit New England, where the Adams’ homestead was located.

Without input from her husband, Abigail is confronted with difficult life and death decisions. In a bold move, she decides to have a local physician inoculate herself and her children. Bear in mind, this is twenty years before Edward Jenner perfects the small pox vaccine.

In the series depiction, the physician parks his wagon outside the Adams’ door. In the wagon lies a poor, unfortunate soul carrying the disease. The physician scrapes the pustules, and taking some of the liquid, places it with a scalpel inside the wounds he has created on each of the Adams’ family members’ arms.

It worked. Although John and Abigail’s oldest daughter contracted a mild case, the family was protected against the disease.

Watching this gruesome, anxious event, I was struck by how much all members of our parental colonies surrendered in order to forge a new nation. Here is this woman who must function as a single parent for, ultimately, years while her husband is away.

I hope this weekend, those of you who are Americans have counted your blessings. Those who have gone on before us endured much. We are the beneficiaries.

Gratitude is a virtue. Let us be gracious.