A Fond Farewell As I Take A Sabatical from Scouts-L

Dear Friends,

Though I have put it off as long as I could, I must at this time bid you
each a fond farewell.

Since subscribing to Scouts-L, I have learned more than I could have
imagined possible in a very short time. I have read words from the heart and
had tears stream down my cheeks and at other times roared with laughter at a
bit of good humor. In our virtual reality, I have felt honored to be a
guest in so many homes and have enjoyed the many chats, discussions and
good natured arguments all in the process of learning how to better serve
youth. Each day I've become accustomed to and have looked forward to the
treasures of each day's mail. Thus it has been a hard decision to take my
leave from such a wonderfully diverse, lively and caring group of folks.

Ultimately technology tipped the scale. Our internet gateway is closing
down Monday for relocation and system upgrades and will be out of business
some, if not all of next week. At the same time I must attend to my
obligation to finish the 3rd Edition of A Scout's Duty to God and Country
in time to get it published for Akela Calls, which I can assure is no
small undertaking. Because of the value of this List, I've found myself
spending one, two and even three hours a day with Scouting e-mail, much of it
private. With the necessity to work for a living, scarcely any time
has been left after local Scouting duties to fulfill my obligations to
finish the book. Consequently, I've had to realize that I must take a
sabatical from the list to honor my duty. As it were, duty calls and
technology has prompted the timing.

In a few months (hopefully sooner), when I've finished this current
undertaking, I will be able to return to the list again to learn and
participate.

In the meantime, I wish you all a wonderful festive holiday season with
joyful new year full of challenges and growth. I will miss having an eye
on the dynamic discussion that demonstrates your committment to Scouting
and helping so many Scouts and Guides around the world, but nonetheless
wish you success in all of your endeavors.

Sometime next week my E-mail address will become:

mfbowman@CAPACCESS.ORG

I will be available at that address for personal e-mail, but will probably
only be checking the box every two or three days, instead of daily. If
you send something and are will to be patient, I will get back to you as
soon as I can.

In closing, as at a Council Fire in camp, let me share a poem with you,
especially those who've trod Gilwell's fair field, and ask that as you
return from reading this posting to the other things you are doing that
we always remember that we are fulfilling BP's vision of producing
healthy, happy, helpful citizens, of both sexes, to eradicate narrow self-
interest, personal, political, sectarian and national and substitute for it
a broader spirit of self-sacrifice and service in the cause of humanity;
that we never forget our obligation of service; and for those who wear the
beads - that we always cherish all that is symbolized in Wood Badge by the
axe in the log:

A SPIRIT

"Be quiet - listen -stand real still.
Is that really the breeze?
Or is it the spirit of Wood Badge
That rustles through the trees?

"At the close of this council fire,
As you return to your campsite,
Take a minute and stand alone
And think about this night.

"There's a spirit here that surrounds us
From without and within.
It's a flame that will burn forever
Its brightness will never dim.

"And when we work for others,
And help to fill their needs,
Let no one say that Scouter there
Has never earned his beads!

"May all our goals be accomplished
May we never stumble or bog,
And may all of us be guided
By the ax set in the log."

Jerry Fabricius

"In my dreams I'm going back to Gilwell . . . ." See you soon.

Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman
Prof. Beaver, Nat. Capital Area Council, BSA mfbowman@CAPACCESS.ORG

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