Saturday was a beautiful day on the campus of Spring Hill College.  I had the chance to put on a cap and gown once again and walk with the rest of the faculty for the commencement exercises on the Avenue of the Oaks.

The most memorable moment for me came when retiring President Rev. Gregory Lucey choked up a little bit as he asked the new graduates to “stay in touch”.  It had to be a bittersweet moment for him, as he prepares to turn over the presidency of the college to someone new.

To illustrate the importance of community, he told the story of a rabbi who learned a longtime member of the congregation was no longer attending services.  He went to the woman’s house, and sat with her in front of her coal-powered fireplace.

Neither said anything for a half hour.

Finally, the rabbi reached into the fire with a set of tongs, pulled out a single piece of coal and set it apart from the others.  Within minutes, the coal ashed over and died.

A few minutes passed, then the woman finally spoke.  “I see your message,” she said.  “I will return to services”.

Yes, it is important to “stay in touch”, no matter what you do.