President’s Message
By Charlie Schrenkel, F140050
December 2010
Peace On Earth
Snowflakes flutter in breathless air,
And settle down without a care
Upon the brown and tarnished leaves,
Which form a carpet ‘neath the trees.
Soon all is covered in sable white,
There’s not a sound on this cold night.
Save the swish of falling snow
On a golden patch of window glow.
The barn and shed take on a look,
Of buildings from a fairy book.
The rocky lane, to yonder pond,
Is smooth to there, and far beyond.
The pine tree limbs so gently bow,
Beneath the press of falling snow.
They wear this mantle, newly found,
As if it were a whipped cream crown.
The birds are tucked in silently
To sleep in safety, in the trees.
Protected from the icy night,
No need to hurry into flight.
And all across this fairy land,
The fields, the hills, where pine trees stand.
The quiet of this winter’s night,
Brings peace on earth by morning light.
© 2000 C.M. Schrenkel
I wrote this poem several years ago as I watched the first snow of the season fall unexpectedly before we had a chance to pack our motorhome and move to a warmer clime for the winter. I’m sure Canadian FMCA members can relate to that feeling. I felt I should share it with you in this last month of 2010.
I have tried to convey the excitement and pleasure of motorhoming on these pages through the written word during my presidency. I hope I have brought some pleasure to the reader, and possibly motivated some of you to either get into motorhoming, or increase the use of your motorhome through membership in our unique, friendship-oriented association.
As it is in everyone’s life, when we prepare for a trip to some exciting place that we have not been to before, some anxiety exists about being sure we do our preparation well, don’t overlook anything, and prepare for any and all possibilities, so the trip will be without incident.
Such it is at this point in my life. I am preparing for an unusual trip that I had not foreseen. It’s one Jean and I are getting ready for together, the kind many others have done before us. I have been diagnosed with an incurable blood disease. As I write this column, I don’t quite know the name of the disease, as the doctors have not finished throwing all of their darts at the medical diagnosis board. I will find out on November 15, 2010, after this issue of the magazine has gone to the printer. I will keep you advised, one way or the other, as to the extent that I can still remain active as FMCA president. Rest assured, the Family Motor Coach Association is paramount in my mind, not the position that I hold.
Thank you all for your many kind e-mails and letters. Thank you for working so hard to make our association the best motorhome owners association on the continent. But most of all, thank you for being part of my family for so many years. Thanks for letting us get to know you and enjoy your company.
As Clement Clarke Moore, widely attributed as the author of “‘Twas The Night Before Christmas,” ended that poem: “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.”
Safe and healthy travels.