A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

Some of them seemed so self-evident as to be almost annoying. When you are a teenager, a lot of things are annoying. Others were more foreign to me (what is “thrifty” when you haven’t seen the opposite?).

Thrifty

As a boy growing up in St. Elmo, I became aware of Thrifty. We were not wealthy, but I never felt want. I was able to play the cornet that my parents provided. My mom participated in the coupon craze that followed blue-light specials and preceded Groupon. She was alert for bargains, spent wisely, and taught us to be frugal.

There’s a certain amount of patience, organization, and persistence that are needed to successfully use store coupons. Mom was like a skilled hunter, always able to capture enough game to feed the family. I, on the other hand, am more like someone who picks up an occasional fresh road kill.

Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind

As young parents, my wife, Sandy, and I knew we could always rely on Iris and Bill to watch our boys if we needed to travel. Mom was always cheerful to accept them, trustworthy to meet their needs and offer them love, and kind to all. The boys loved to visit grandma and grandpa. Grandpa was handy at restoring bicycles from parts. Grandma made the best chocolate chip cookies. 

What I didn’t know was that when we kids were babies, she sometimes didn't do much all day, but lay on the couch and just watch us. Watch in awe. She did the same for our children when they visited. 

I now understand that as being reverent. Sitting quietly in awe and wonder at the mystery of bringing life into this world.

A scout is reverent.