Mending Fences, a Rural Parable

We use the term "mending fences" in reference to reconciliation and improved relations and this just really got me thinking about "fences." I suppose in a truly good relationship, there would be no need for fences or for mending them, as space and boundaries would be respected, but this is the real world and we are human beings . . . so back to mending fences. First, to need to mend a fence indicates a break or breach, perhaps a complete disregard of the fact there was a fence, so how would one go about mending? Should the same type of fence simply be replaced or should there be some sort of reinforcement, and should a sign be added, so the fence doesn't get ignored or annihilated the next time? Because, if the fence is now an issue, there will always be the possibility of a next time. Let's talk about fences. Some people have picket fences and that usually means they can see all that goes on, don't worry about a real purpose for a fence, it's mostly just for show, and they feel the same way about someone else's fence. Others have, of course, privacy fences, and interestingly they are usually the ones that have to tell everyone how open they are. They have to tell that information for obvious reasons. Then there are those that have woven wire or chain linked. It's an interesting fence in that the view is accessible on both sides and virtually impassible from either side, and strong, rarely needing mending. Then there are those that have a barbed wire fence and that is pretty much self-explanitory, and notably they are of course, the ones that have nothing to hide! In any mending, there is a place that the splice can be noticed, and the fence is forever altered. The splice is now usually the strongest and impenetrable place in the fence. Now, I have discovered, I am one of those people that seems to appear to have no fence, and at this point in life, I don't want to build one and I certainly don't want to have to mend too many, so what I have learned. I actually don't want to spend time and energy mending fences, I prefer to respect and maintain the boundaries of others, so we don't tear up the fences. Maybe it's time we learned as individuals, couples, co-workers, and even a nation, mending fences is alot more work than just using the gate.

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city . . .