"Does anybody know what time it is? Does anybody really care (care about time)? If so, I can’t imagine why. We’ve all got time enough to cry.”
Chicago’s lyrics seem almost prophetic 50 years later. Days have gone by and now weeks and I have lost track of time. Lost track of what day it is. For instance, my former Sunday routine of coffee, reading the paper, and then getting ready for church has been disrupted. So, Sundays don’t much seem like Sundays anymore. As the weather gets warmer, I am pretty sure that winter is now over and spring has arrived. But after the snowfall we had last week, does anybody really know what season it is?
A few weeks before the governor’s stay-at-home order, my family acquired a new puppy. Other than the fact that we are still working on house-training her, I am glad we did. The dog has been welcome company for my grandson who is now out of school. And I must admit as the pup gets more accustomed to a leash, I have enjoyed daily walks around the neighborhood
Yes, there are many things to be thankful for. Thankful that my church’s food pantry is still able to serve families, albeit in a drive-thru version. Thankful that the Soup Kitchen in Benton Harbor is still in operation for daily lunches, albeit takeout sack lunches. In tough times as these, we all need be mindful of the less fortunate. Many of our neighbors have been furloughed or laid off. Many are probably wondering how they will pay the mortgage or the rent.
Others may be financially better off but may be struggling to keep their spirits up. Tempers or patience in some families may be running short as kids have been out of school for a month and parents may be doing their best to work from the home kitchen table. I am thankful for Zoom, FaceTime, and similar apps. I just wish that I did not have to use them so frequently.
Like the Serenity Prayer states, “grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.” There is not much I can do about the current COVID-19 crisis. However, I can do my best to follow Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order. Although I must admit, I miss my regular visits this time of year to the local hardware store to pick up lawn and garden materials.
We all should be thankful for the employees at grocery or dollar stores and gas stations who are still coming to work every day. Thanks goes out also to all the employees who are still serving us takeout or drive-thru at restaurants. For years, the movies and television made fun of store clerks or fast food workers. I hope never again. There is a great deal of dignity in work. Now we know how essential they really are. May God bless every one of them while keeping them safe.
Having become my family’s barber, I do have a much greater appreciation for my professional barber. There is a skill and art to someone who can give a good haircut. My uncle was a barber, but I don’t have the talent. I just hope that when I am finally able to return to the barber shop my barber won’t chastise me too much for the mess I have made of my own hair. She will certainly deserve an extra-large tip for cleaning me up.
Some of my friends are liberal, moderate or conservative. However, we are all Michiganders. Hopefully, our politicians in Lansing remember that too. There is no easy answer to our current predicament. But to me there is only one rule that politicians should be following now. And that is, work together to help solve this problem. Listen to the other side of the political aisle respectfully and cooperate as best you can to resolve what will soon be difficult political decisions on budget and priorities.
And for all, please, please remember the less fortunate among us. Be kind to each other and stay safe.
Like Chicago once sang, we all hope that in not too many weeks we will be able to enjoy a “Saturday here in the park, … (maybe by) the Fourth of July (where we will find) people dancing, people laughing (and) a man selling ice cream.”
By ROBERT L. BURGESS HP Opinion Maker
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