Family Reunions
In many cases close kinship can be proved,
But others are tenth cousins, thrice removed.
Some climbed high on the ladder of success
That's shown by wide acclaim, or what they possess,

But most of us never made it to the second rung.

Some may be too old, some are very young,
Some add after their names some earned degrees,
While others of us may barely know our ABCs.
Many have traveled widely and far;

None of these differences matter to us at all.

Nor does it matter how short we are or tall.

But there is a difference that matters much.

Some haven't accepted Him who died for such as us.
How great if all could see the futility of trying to save themselves
And accept the humility of real repentance, and know the joy, the peace,

The marvelous change that comes with sweet release
From the burden of sin - that's all a part of new birth.
That's when we really start to heaven.

We must stay close to God or we will stray too far
And not be ready for that final day.

Written by the late Alice Lafon Ruckman Arbogast and read at the Hillsboro Alumni Banquet. Arbogast would have celebrated her 98th birthday on September 3, 2011.