Remembering. It was the thought behind our last sermon message on Sunday. As we approach the celebration of Easter, there is much to remember and ponder. I like this time of year in my Christian faith, as it brings much hope and peace. I hope the weeks before you will bring that same hope to you. More on that in a few weeks….
This past week brought a couple times of remembering in a different way. Last Friday night a friend and I attended a concert in Sioux Falls by Kenny Rogers. It was titled “ The Gamblers Last Tour”. As Kenny took the stage, shuffling in at a very slow pace, everyone around us took a deep breath. He looked old and frail, and to be honest, at that point, I wondered if he could still sing. There was a single high back stool sitting in the middle of the stage, and he headed in that direction, but at a snail’s pace.
When he lifted the microphone to speak, his first words were to tell us that he had just had knee replacement…. “and I think they did the wrong darn knee”!!! After we all had a good laugh, we were relieved that now we knew what was causing him to have trouble walking. And there was hope for him to heal and have restored strength to walk and get around. He warned us that he would be sitting to sing most of the night, and if he did stand, and begin to fall over, not to worry because he had “first alert”. O.K….he still had his sense of humor!
I have always enjoyed most country music, and he sang many of his “oldies”. His voice wasn’t as perfect as usual, but the crowd was entertained in great fashion. He had been on this tour for awhile, and he apologized for some crackle in his singing. The whole concert was actually a “tour” of his life from the time he was a little boy and continuing through his singing groups, duets, and now his solo performances. Some great pictures and slides accompanied his songs, both old and new. One of my favorites on his last album is “ You Can’t Make Old Friends”.
Kenny is 79, and has had a great career, but he also has twelve year old twin boys. That sounds like a great deal of work to me at that age! ( Or would the word be nightmare??) He commented that he just took them to South Africa on part of this tour with him. They were busy taking pictures which made him happy…but when he asked to see them, he said they had 150 “selfies”!!
All in all, a fun time out with a friend, and many laughs and some tears as we listened, watched, and reminisced. Memories. Remembering.
As a couple days passed, Sunday morning arrived. Dan and I needed to be at church early to do our part in making a meal to say good-bye to our associate pastor who is moving this week. We arrived in the church kitchen to find it already bustling with activity. In a few moments I realized why. Dan came next to me and whispered that it was almost nine o’clock. What??? Oh, you have to be kidding! For the first time ever we had totally forgotten to turn the clocks ahead. We were embarrassed to be so late, but I am blaming it on not milking anymore! We have become much more laid back now without that chore on both ends of our day. So I am going to just get over the mistake…and be glad that we had such a good reason!! Ha… But I bet this fall when it is time to turn the clock back, we will REMEMBER!
Did you know?? Some actual “remembering” facts for you:
*In 1895 Daylight Saving Time was first proposed by a New Zealand postal worker and entomologist….he wanted more sunlight in the afternoon to hunt insects.
*In 1916 Germany was the first nation to implement DST as a fuel saving measure during World War I.
*The United States followed soon after mostly for profit reasons.. longer hours for shopping, golfing, baseball games…but farmers didn’t like it. It was repealed before World War I had ended.
*During World War II President Franklin D. Roosevelt established year-round DST to save energy.
*After the war, cities could decide to keep it or not. On one 35 mile stretch, between Ohio and West Virginia, buses passed through seven time zones!
*The Uniform Times Act in 1966 was our first peacetime DST law. Both Hawaii and Arizona opted out.
*In 1986 Congress extended DST from six months to seven.
*2005 brought another energy bill that extended DST to an added four weeks; now we have eight months total.
Whether you are a supporter or not, do remember to check those clocks before going to bed the night before the big switch. It will save you some embarrassing moments. Happy Spring coming up!
lbeerman68@gmail.com
