A Friendship for the Ages: Learning from Clarence Smart

"A Legacy of Friendship and Determination"

In this heartwarming and inspirational episode of "To Be Do," host Philip Amerson takes us on a journey that transcends time and geography, recounting his extraordinary 50-year friendship with Clarence Smart. Titled "A Legacy of Friendship and Determination," this episode serves as a testament to the enduring power of human connection, resilience, and the transformative potential of education.

Philip begins by recalling a delightful surprise phone call from Clarence, an old friend he met in the Republic of Panama in the late 1960s. Clarence was working as a janitor at the Methodist School, Instituto Panamericano, living in a small cubby space beneath the swimming pool's machinery. The serendipitous encounter led to a lifelong bond. Philip shares how Clarence, born on Christmas Day in 1945, was just one week older than him. Despite limited educational opportunities in his hometown of Bocas, Clarence was deeply committed to furthering his education. Remarkably, at age 11 or 12, Clarence trekked over 50 miles across the Panamanian mountains to the city of David, seeking a chance to pursue high school.

Clarence's determination paid off when he found hospitality and education at a student home run by Methodist missionaries,. This episode exquisitely captures Clarence's unyielding spirit and highlights the pivotal moment when Philip offered to help him finish his university education in the United States. Clarence's response to Philip's well-meaning but slightly paternalistic request for a promise to return to Panama reveals his deep sense of autonomy and agency.

Key Takeaway Points:

1. The Power of Determination: Clarence's story exemplifies the lengths to which one can go to pursue education and self-improvement. From walking miles across mountains to the intention to live in a refrigerator box, his relentless pursuit is awe-inspiring.
2. Importance of Supportive Networks: The role of Ken and Madia Darg, the missionaries who provided Clarence with shelter and schooling, underscores the impact of supportive communities in one's journey toward achieving dreams.
3. Respecting Individual Agency: Philip’s reflection on his interaction with Clarence sheds light on the importance of respecting others' autonomy and choices. Clarence’s insistence on taking charge of his own future became a profound learning moment for Philip.
4. Ripple Effects of Education and Giving: Clarence not only achieved his academic and professional goals but also paid it forward by helping more than a dozen of his nieces and nephews in Panama attend university. This illustrates how the benefits of education can extend beyond the individual to impact entire communities.
5. Value of Long-term Friendships: The episode celebrates the enduring friendship between Philip and Clarence, filled with laughter, mutual respect, and lifelong learning. It reminds listeners of the joy and wisdom that comes from deep, long-lasting relationships.

Philip leaves listeners with a heartfelt message to be open to new connections, embrace the gifts within others, and find ways to contribute positively to the lives around them. This moving episode is a beautiful blend of narrative storytelling and powerful life lessons, sure to leave you feeling motivated and encouraged.