Stand and Deliver, Hands that Deliver...Deliverance

       Whenever I get the chance I encourage math teachers (at least those from middle school on up) to show the film "Stand and Deliver", a 1988 biopic featuring Edward James Olmos as Jaime Escalante, whose approach to teaching (math in this case) inspired his students and colleagues alike. Who inspired a group of dropout prone students to take on the herculean task of passing the AP Calculus exam, telling them exactly and honestly what it would take for them to deliver on this promise together. Watch what happens. Given the number of times and contexts I have heard the themes associated with deliver even just within the past 48 hours, let alone the past months, ranging from politics to other pandemic related issues, I thought it timely to provoke thought (and perhaps action, who knows) on the topic(s) of  deliver, as a noun, verb, and something sought after. First, categories of people that we have known, as well as those we, ourselves have been:

Overpromise, Underdeliver: This very morning I heard on an newscast that our president-elect has promised to deliver 100 million vaccines in his first 100 days in office. This comes shortly after asking us to all wear masks during this same period. At first glance that's a hefty promise for one man to accomplish, a man who had manifest difficulty delivering more than a paragraph without a teleprompter in the campaign, a man whose gait is also manifestly unsteady (especially when playing with his dog?). The article provoked an image of Mr. President in the basement of the White House valiantly and vigorously making vaccines in order to deliver on such a promise. Beyond the obvious,  the promises all politicians have made over the years that have become the focus of jokes and mockery, what other types of people in your own life that have made such promises and haven't delivered? Finally, how many times have you, yourself done so? Be honest. 

Underpromise, Overdeliver: Like when you get a notice your Amazon delivery is projected for a date two weeks out and it arrives in a few days. Well, as we have kind of caught on to this marketing ploy, they have, with the huge data analytics they utilize, now tightened the 'illusion' so it still works in their favor, as well as ours. When have you 'hedged' on delivering on a promise or commitment, to give yourself a little wiggle room? We have ALL done this on occasion; not always problematic.

Deliver Hesitant: Situations and people who have been in a position to make a difference, to lead or step out boldly, but find themselves reluctant to do so. Maybe we just need a nudge, or even a shove. Which brings to mind the story of a rich oil baron who was evaluating the suitability of several eligible bachelors for the hand of his daughter in marriage -- presenting them with a pool containing alligators as a test of their bravery (of course, if you're a baron you probably have a spare pool for such purposes) -- he could barely get the rules of engagement out of his mouth when he witnessed a  young man valiantly and relentlessly making the hazardous journey. Upon exiting the pool and asked to account for his act of bravery, the successful suitor responded, "Who the hell pushed me in?!" We all need encouragement, even a shove from time to time. It is also noteworthy that almost without exception, medal of honor winners or other decorated heroes testify that they did not anticipate being heroic nor plan for it when they awoke that morning: "I just did what I had to do and what my fellow soldiers would do under the circumstances". We hope so. 

Hands that Deliver, Heavy Lifting, Chain of 'Custody': Just think of the hundreds, if not thousands of hands it takes to make a successful delivery of such a simple, singular object like a kitchen utensil, let alone a vaccine. Including the hands that made the tools, that made the machine, the hands that operated the machine that made the utensil, the hands that loaded it in a container (that was in turn assembled by hands), that was loaded by hand into a truck, that was driven to your neighborhood, and that was delivered  by hand to your doorstep. Whew! In the case of a vaccine, just think of the hands that finessed the microscope, that touched the specimen, that will manipulate the syringe...double whew!

Deliverance: What we seek when we've fallen short or strayed. What we yearn for in times of strife, such as during a pandemic...thousands of praying hands. Like a vaccine delivered. Hands uplifted in thanks.