5/7/2019
Hard to believe it’s been a week since I wrote. I must be slipping. It isn’t as though the world will suffer great loss if I never wrote again, but perhaps one’s thoughts will lead to another’s and some usefulness will come out of it.
The trip to Indiana this past weekend has brought many thoughts to mind and I feel like I could write for hours—probably not too profitable for most of you, however. But, just a few of the highlights.
I foolishly waited till the last minute to get a reservation somewhere and almost didn’t find one. You see, on the first Saturday of May, if you want to stay in between Louisville and Indianapolis, you should hunt for a room reservation now for the year 2020!
In Louisville, Derby Day occurs and for miles going North, motels fill! In Indianapolis, several schools graduate (this year especially) on this weekend, besides the Indy 500 month-long festivities begin occurring, and for miles going South, motels fill! This year, they overflowed each other by about 40 miles!!
Here’s a bit of interesting info: In 1964, in Columbus, IN, I went to work for Smith’s Jewelers as a manager trainee. I worked with a lady (whose name I cannot recall) who attended a church named Berean Bible Church. Ten years later, in Alabama, I began to be taught bible by a man who pastored a Berean Bible Study church in Pensacola, FL. Right then, I should have found that woman to see what she had believed, etc., and perhaps created more fellowship.
This weekend, I finally found a room (air bnb) in Columbus, which is owned by a 54 year old lady who had been raised attending that same Berean Bible Church in Columbus. We had a great bible discussion (just didn’t last long enough.) She had been taught by her mother who was in that church when my previous acquaintance went there in 1964. But I couldn’t remember her name, I was so completely lost at the time and cannot remember discussions with my jewelry store friend. (I do remember she was offended by the crass speech of the manager, who later told me the bible had messed up her fun!) The airbnb hostess would have loved making the association, I’m sure. But since I couldn’t remember her name and my hostess’ mother has passed away, I didn’t bring it up. It might have been poignant. Let’s list this as LOST OPPORTUNITY.
My trip’s main purpose was to attend my high school Alumni Banquet. It is now 52 years since the last graduating class, so the “youngest” alumnus is 69 years old. This was a tiny h.s., the largest class ever being about 38, or so, and we still have about 100 folks show up. This year, my brother Jack, my sister Margaret and I were there, being the last 3 of our family of 8 kids who all graduated from good old THS. We had a really good time and enjoyed seeing friends and classmates who come less frequently, but who attended this year.
The other real treat for me was the driving route I took to get there and return. I left from Chattanooga and seeing I-75 heavily backed up, I went straight North on 3 other highways to take me through Glasgow, KY, and then to I-65 at a much further North entrance. This took me through some beautiful Tennessee and Kentucky countryside I had never seen—thoroughly enjoyed! So, I returned the same way—I thought. But, the GPS had other ideas, taking me through even more countryside to get me to the same destination and highways assuring me I knew how to get home! I enjoyed that thoroughly, also!
Thanks for reading, the Elder
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