Shoulda, Coulda

©jb katke

I wanted to but didn’t.

The temptation was strong to stay in the parking lot until the driver next to me returned to their car.  This sign was in their driver side window. My inclination was to wait until they came out and then tell them, “You’re not chunky.” But then maybe they were.

Besides, I came to the grocery store to do business, not offer sweet platitudes to somebody. The need to accomplish what I came for took over. However, I will confess, the temptation was equally strong not to approach each overweight shopper, “Is it you that has that clever message in your window?”

That could have lead to a bunch of awkward conversations. “No, why do you ask?”

Better to let it go. Another clever sign I’ve seen on cars recently is the “Please be patient, Student Driver.” Maybe they are legit, but I doubt it—so many have been sighted. A dead giveaway is when the sticker is adhered crooked.

Shortly after moving to Kansas, I saw a street sign bearing the words, “Keep moving, merge later!” Confession, the exclamation point is mine, not on the actual sign. But it did strike me funny.

Another one, during the same move was the Touchless Carwash sign. Never had I ever seen raindrops as enormous as what was experienced. A tremendous amount of flooding at the time—highways closed, as well as the carwash. The rain water reached the height of the sign, probably two feet deep. That was touchless alright.

If you look around, you may see a few humorous signs yourself. Some though, are worth being mindful of. “Deaf child at play,” “Smile, you’re on camera,” or our good old speed limit signs. Those are especially helpful when school lets out. Don’t ask me how I know, I just do.

A Thanksgiving of Gratitude

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© jb katke

Thankful! Are you kidding me?

Need I remind you this is 2020? The year of have nots.

Worldwide people have suffered the loss of a loved one. Business owners have closed their doors for good. Hospitals are full capacity. Churches were forbidden to hold services to their community. There’s more, but you’re capable of filling in the rest.

Some find it astounding that the sun rises to another new day. Where is the hope?

We have been forced to look at life differently. Instead of gazing back at what used to be, we must look at the way things are now.

Perhaps the hope is in ourselves. If you are still breathing, you have survived thus far. That is an accomplishment. Where there is breathe, there is hope. Now is the time to acknowledge what we still have.

Doctors and grocery stores still exist. Online shopping has become the norm.

Organizations have rallied to the call of need, helping any way they can. Neighbors have opened their doors to each other, looking in to see if all is well. It’s what America does.

With schools closed, teachers have made themselves available to continue educating students. Time invested in others is never wasted time.

Churches have opened to technology and encourage online listeners that God is still God. He knows and cares what is happening in our lives. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Families have turned inward and reconnected to each other in creative ways. For the elderly, visits are through a window, reminding them they are loved. That’s what love looks like.

Home may feel like a prison, but it also is a refuge from harsh realities. Not everyone has a place to hunker down in, if you do, consider yourself rich.

Listening to the news is optional, many feel better without it. I’m not encouraging putting your head in a hole, but sift truth from falsehoods. You can still think for yourself.

One of the many things I am grateful for is you. Some may think I harp on a religious platform. No, what I share with you is my life, things I have found to be true. Stuff you won’t likely hear from anywhere else.  Thank you for your time and interest in these words I share.

During this ongoing pandemic, I hope you can find some nuggets of hope this Thanksgiving.   Maybe even give some encouragement to others. It’s what we are here for.