In the spirit of giving this year, it is perhaps appropriate to remember that some gifts cannot be bought or sold but earned. During my visit to my brother's recently, I was reminded of the gift that a father passes down to his son. Here is a picture (with name removed) of the plaque he has in his office. Ironically, it was my mother who was so fond of Sermonettes, and short Poems, but this one expressed our Dad's admonition, (who could cut to the chase in just a few words and often just a look) often expressed verbally as " A broken word is a broken man!"

THE FAMILY NAME

Edgar Guest

YOU GOT IT FROM YOUR FATHER

IT WAS ALL HE HAD TO GIVE.

SO IT'S YOURS TO USE AND CHERISH,

FOR AS LONG AS YOU MAY LIVE.

IF YOU LOSE THE WATCH HE GAVE YOU,

IT CAN ALWAYS BE REPLACED.

BUT A BLACK MARK ON YOUR NAME, SON,

CAN NEVER BE ERASED.

IT WAS CLEAN THE DAY YOU TOOK IT,

AND A WORTH NAME TO BEAR.

WHEN HE GOT FROM HIS FATHER,

THERE WAS NO DISHONOR THERE.

SO MAKE SURE YOU GUARD IT WISELY,

AFTER ALL IS SAID AND DONE,

YOU'LL BE GLAD THE NAME IS SPOTLESS,

WHEN YOU GIVE IT TO YOUR SON.