Monday Musings: Founding Fathers

{Ben Franklin}

I love President's Day. It's well situated between Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Easter, providing a true day off without any specific religious or cultural celebrations.

One year on President’s Day weekend, I was invited to a party for which we were instructed to dress as our favorite dead president. While I don't really have a favorite dead president, there's no question about my favorite founding father: Ben Franklin. In fact, I probably could have gone to that party as Ben Franklin since I imagine there are a fair number of Americans who actually think he was president at some point in those early years of the United States. Had he been younger it may have happened, but he was 25 years older than George Washington and died a year after Washington took the oath of office.

My brother and I began to develop an admiration for Ben Franklin on a visit to Philadelphia when I was four and he was seven. Our parents took us to see every historical site in the city. This was back in the days when you could walk right up to the Liberty Bell and touch the crack for good luck. Ben Franklin’s hometown came alive for us. We learned about his diversity of talents as a printer, scientist, statesman, and diplomat. Not only was he one of the leaders of the constitutional convention, he invented practical items that ranged from the lightening rod to bifocals. He also started things we loved, such as America’s first public library and the United States Postal Service.

We didn’t learn about the questionable chapters of Ben Franklin’s life until much later, yet we also learned more about his courage and his virtue. Ben Franklin was committed to goals much larger than himself, even when it was dangerous. Not only did he believe in to American independence when it didn't seem possible, he also was part of sharing that vision with others and helping them to remain focused on the goal. Ben Franklin was interested in a wide variety of topics in which he didn't just dabble; he sought excellence.  Throughout his life, he created his own fortune through creativity, vision, resilience, and hard work. After establishing his wealth, he worked to systematically improve himself and to raise the standards for those around him.

It's almost like Ben Franklin was America's first life coach.

Who is your favorite founding father?

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