By Dennis Minich
A funny thing happened while nobody was looking: half the year passed. It is already mid-July meaning two of the summer holidays are already gone and school will be back in session before the third one comes around.
I was thinking, trying to figure out exactly where six-plus months have gone and I think it is a perspective thing. The year 2019 has not been divided into days and months, but in seasons. And by seasons I don’t mean spring, summer, etc., I mean events which have broken the year into small pieces.
For example, the first section of the year, I will refer to as the praying season. I am not sure exactly how long it lasted, but we all experienced it, waking up every morning praying, “Dear God, could it please stop snowing?” There was also some intertwined “Dear God, could it please warm up?”
Next came the political season. While this wasn’t necessarily a thing throughout the area, it was in Harrisonville and it lasted way too long. It was ugly, it was brutal and it was muddy.
But the good news was the mud didn’t last because almost immediately after the election we went into the next phase of the year, which I deem religious experience 2.0. This was when we woke up every morning again praying, “Dear God, could it please stop raining?” I am not totally sure but I think it lasted about 40 days and 40 nights and maybe I should have built a boat, at least in my basement.
Then came one of the best parts of the year: the preparation for the Moving Wall coming to town. Although there were meetings for several months, there was about a three-week period where all the deadlines came due and every spare second could be used to help the local volunteers get things ready.
It was also a military appreciation time and I think that is tremendous. We obviously had a focus on Vietnam veterans, but there seemed to be more stories and tales from more veterans about all of their service that had been shared before. This was also a great time to pray, but this time it was more like: “Dear God, thank you for these men and women. May we always remember what we owe them.”
After a brief visit by the Fourth of July, we are now entering into what I consider a “salute to our rural roots” part of the year. And if everything goes as planned, it should be a lot of fun. It started over the weekend with the rodeo at North Park. The July 4 rain made it a little messy, but there seemed to be a lot of people having a good time.
Next comes the county fair followed immediately by the Chuckwagon Races at the Pinedale Horse Farm. Both events were big hits last year and from all appearances will be highly entertaining again this year.
Following that is one I have been looking forward to: The biggest tomato contest and funkiest fruit or vegetable contest on tap for July 27 on the square. It will be a full rural day with the weekly Farmers’ Market and the second annual tractor show.
And that morning is the chance for local gardeners to show what they grow. The first event, was held last year as part of the grand opening of Treasure of the Past. The event will again be sponsored by The South Cass Tribune and Treasure of the Past. Prizes will include gift certificates to the store. Look for more details.
Once we get past the rural portion of the schedule, it will be time for school and festivals. But let’s not look ahead. And maybe the best way to enjoy each day of the year is open each morning with a little “Dear God” time.
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