Focusing on happier times, being thankful

There has been a lot happening with politics, government, the shutdown, the reopening, etc. If you are like me, most of it makes you angry.

It is blatantly obvious many representatives in Washington, D.C., are in the job for the wrong reasons. It doesn’t matter who they hurt or how they negatively affect their citizens – the very people they are supposed to be representing. Their goals are purely selfish.

As I sat down to write this column; many issues, concerns and thoughts flooded my mind. It was difficult to limit my thoughts to one or two subjects for the space available. The more I thought, the more irritated and frustrated I became.

So, to use a sports analogy, I backed up and punted. My punt: focusing on happier times.

As I have said before, this is my favorite time of year. The weather can change quickly, and there are so many things happening. Last week, we had a cold blast to get our attention. It was a great reminder of what we could be facing every day, especially the wind that seemed to cut through you.

At the courthouse when the wind is blowing, we often hear that winter howling noise that was common when I was a child. Because the design of houses and other structures has changed, seldom do we hear the wind “howling” around the corners. A sound that told us to stay inside, close to our heaters. A sound reminding us to bundle up before going outside.

Over the last couple of weeks, many of us attended events at the old Rockford schoolhouse on Coosa County Road 18. One event was the Veterans Day program. It was a sunny but cold day. Although breezy, it was a beautiful day. As Revenue Commissioner Debra Lamberth and I sat near each other in the old school auditorium, we reminisced about attending that old school.

We lived in Ray Community, rode the same school bus and started school in that old building. Although different years, we both attended first grade in the classroom on the right as you entered the building. I remember the water cooler (do they even have those anymore?) being right in front of the door so the kids could grab a quick drink of water as they re-entered from afternoon recess, or what we called “play-period.”

We and others opined how big the auditorium used to be. Not that it has gotten smaller, but in our adult minds it isn’t as large as it used to be. We talked about the patriotic and other events we attended in the auditorium. We discussed the “play periods” and the big steel swings, slides and monkey bars on which we played daily. Even in the winter. If it wasn’t rainy but only cold, we usually were allowed to go outside to play at least once each day.

Debra and I named every classroom and each teacher we had. We talked about the teachers’ dedication and their values. We talked about their influence on our lives. We affectionately mentioned classmates and some of our antics. Notice I said “our” and not “their” antics. It seems I had more antics to my credit, possibly detriment, than Debra.

Everything we discussed brought a fond but insightful memory, and some made us laugh out loud. It reminded us of simpler times when our culture was very different than today. Politics may have been nasty then; however, as children we didn’t realize it because our society wasn’t as nasty and self-centered as it seems to be today.

After the program started, I continued replaying events from my childhood that occurred in that building. As I sat there, I remembered starting each morning with the “Pledge of Allegiance” and often reciting the “Lord’s Prayer.” I remembered some of the plays I saw on the stage. I remembered the gentleman who brought his cart with roasted peanuts each morning for recess.

I thought about being a runner and going to the lunchroom to get chocolate milk for break. I remembered playing army, cowboys and Indians, red rover, dodge ball, and all kinds of other games on the grounds and in the woods around the old school building. I thought about the forts and teepees we built with limbs and pine straw.

I remembered how we often used sticks (always readily available) for our guns, swords and other weapons. However, after Christmas each year many boys would return to school sporting their new cap guns, army weapons and rubber knives. The girls would bring their dolls or other toys.

During play period, we would often voluntarily and naturally segregate by sex to have fun, play our games and get exercise. I am sure the teachers appreciated the exercise aspect the most because it would help burn off pent-up energy and aid our focus in class.

It was great to remember the old times. Simpler times. I am pleased the Town of Rockford has obtained the old building and is using it productively.

However, we all know we can’t live in the past nor preserve everything. The best we can do is take our memories with lessons learned and move forward.

We can, however, teach our children/grandchildren, our younger generations, the values that were ingrained in us by so many people. Teach them to have respect for others. Teach our young to treat others as they want to be treated instead of “do unto others before they do unto you.” Teach them to be unselfish. We can take what we have learned in our lifetimes and make the future better.

With the coming holidays it would be a great time to make our mission to guide our following generations to be strong, independent, proud, patriotic, and thankful. Teach them about all the great things America has done in this world. Teach them to not be so self-centered or self-righteous. None of us are perfect, but we can strive to always do what is right and to have good character.

As Americans, we all have very much for which we should be grateful. Even in the worst of times. We should be thankful for: Our freedoms, family, friends, safety, security, and America.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving! I pray you get to spend it with family and friends. I hope you reminisce about the old times, focus on the good times and share fond memories of family, friends and past events. I hope you create new fond memories for our younger generations to share with their successors. Until next month; be safe, and God bless.