These are just warning signs from God...be prepared.
www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-thursday-edition-1.5462496/kenyan-farmers-traumatized-as-swarms-of-locusts-devour-crops-in-seconds-1.5462979 Back “in the day,” when a person died they were usually laid out for a couple of days at
the funeral home. These viewings gave friends and family members a chance to say good bye, pray or just to see the deceased one more time. Husbands, wives, and family members would dutifully stand next to the casket as the condolence line stopped, offered kind words, and said how good the body looked. However, in today’s fast paced world things are changing. We, thanks to social media, have lost touch with many of the basic building blocks of a civilized society; the major one being, the human touch. Obituaries are posting on the internet, and you can sign the virtual guest book. Too busy? Send a text, email, or sign the previously mentioned guest book. It is unfortunate that work demands are such, that working less than 50 hours a week get you frowned upon by your district, or regional, “management team.” If you are part of the great unwashed, chances are, you’re working two or three part-time jobs, just to make ends meet. No one has the time to spend with their living friends and family, let alone the ones that have passed on to a final resting place. I can imagine a time when a body will be laid out in a drive-thru window, and mourners can drive by, sign a guestbook, and go about their day. I can see Starbucks opening up a chain of Starbucks View with a Brew, where the bereaved will be handed a latte, coffee, or frappuccino as they drive by and pay their last respects. Would McDonald’s, Wendy’s or any other fast food joint, pass on this opportunity? I think not. Eventually, viewings could just end up on snapchat. One picture out, one response back. What could be easier, and more convenient, than a “one and done viewing,” with absolutely no human contact? The cool crisp air startled Joe as he walked out of the house. The dull grey sky and sharp wind drew a contrast of feelings from him. The darkness made him wonder why he was up. The cold wind tore his tired thoughts to alertness. The crisp white snow gave way to the weight of his brown suede shoes. The snow’s cold clear blood clung to Joe’s shoes, chilling his feet. Joe flipped the collar of his wool coat upward to shield his rosy cheeks from the tearing wind. Finally he reached his car. Cold numb fingers, fumble small frozen keys. “Crap,” Joe mumbled as the keys fell to the icy driveway. Bending down, flakes of snow landed on his unprotected neck, forcing goose bumps to rise up. His fingers stiffly grasped the circular key ring. “Man, it’s cold.” The key fights to keep itself from the lock in the door. Its teeth grind as Joe firmly pushes the key in with the palm of his hand, then turning. Quickly Joe swings the door open, seeking shelter from the cold. No comfort is given as cold, hard, vinyl seats pierce his blue dress pants. The wipers work furiously against the window as the defrost blows cold air. Thoughts of going back into the house enter his mind, but it is too late, the commitment has been made. The blank page stares up at me mockingly, daring me to write something. However, I will not be goaded into writing. I will not be intimidated. I will stand fast. This page will remain blank, in spite of its efforts to force my pen to paper.
In this standoff the hostage will remain frozen in fear, gun to head. I will be nothing more than an idle spectator, waiting to see the result of my inaction. I will refuse to buckle to the demands of the criminal. For in the end, that is what this blank piece of paper is, a criminal. It robs me of my thoughts and words, steals my time as I sit formulating ideas to share. |
john Gregory ParksI only worry about the things I can control; as I control nothing, I have no worries. Archives
January 2023
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