Historic Bethlehem

The past two days I have been attending a staff retreat in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. I was completely blown away by the city. Since I knew that it was an old steel town, I was not expecting much. However, the town took me by suprise and I got much more out of my retreat than could ever be expected.

The architecture in the city is beautiful, and the history is rich. The Moravians made the city what it is, and their flavor still exists. We toured many of the old Moravian buildings and cemeteries--impressive works.

Many of Bethlehem's old buildings and factories have been remodeled into artist lofts, striking a clash of old and new.

But in the background of it all--towering above the Moravian churches, the Lehigh River, the old stone blacksmith shop, and the cobblestone streets, are the furnaces of Bethlehem Steel.

My grandfather worked for Bethlehem Steel for what I recall his entire working career. My grandfather was a foreman for Bethlehem Steel, overseeing work that went on in their 8 miles of facilities. Bethlehem Steel brought an era of boom to the city, creating the steel that was used for the Golden Gate Bridge and the majority of the sky scrapers in New York City. Bethlehem Steel has since gone bankrupt, but the imprint that they left on the city, and on the life of my grandfather, grandmother, and father is one of a thriving industry, promise, and that hard work pays off.

I don't remember much of my grandfather now, but I do remember that he used to walk three miles or more every morning to get the paper, that he had an infectious smile, and that he taught my father, who in turn taught, me about the value of hard work. That is something that I will never be able to thank either of them for enough. It is something that not many people are privileged to grow up being taught--that our time on this earth is precious and we should use our time wisely, practically, and to the benefit of our creator.

Thank you Pop Pop, and thank you Dad.