Everyone on the banks has a story
Server Zach McNeill with the repurposed tool belt that once belonged to his grandfather.
Photo by Kerri Thoreson
“Civilization is a stream with banks. The stream is sometimes filled with blood from people killing, stealing, shouting and doing things historians usually record, while on the banks, unnoticed, people build homes, make love, raise children, sing songs, write poetry. The story of civilization is the story of what happened on the banks. Historians are pessimists because they ignore the banks for the river.” — Preface to the first volume of The Story of Civilization by Will Durant.
I’ve long loved this quote and use it for a philosophical template of what I hope to achieve each week in this column ... focus on the people on the banks. Here’s an example of life on the banks that often goes unnoticed.
On New Year’s Eve morning, Bert and I decided to go out to breakfast at a place I’d never been ... Hangry’s at Stateline. It’s an old-school diner and, Sunday morning, the small dining room was full. We were met at the door by a smiling young man who assured us it would only be about 10 minutes and if we’d like to wait in our car he’d come get us when there were seats. Normally that would have prompted me to take a pass and go somewhere else. But he was so engaging and cheerful we said we’d wait. Several minutes later, as promised, he came out to let us know he had seats ready.
Become a Subscriber!
You have read all of your free articles this month. Select a plan below to start your subscription today.
Already a subscriber? Login
