Easter and continuing prayer

Is a wonderful holiday. Not only is it’s message inspiring it is a good occasion to gather with family and friends to celebrate in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Some forty of our fellow congregants gathered at my hangar, at McCook’s quiet (that time of day) airport, to watch the sun peek over the horizon to officially start our Easter day. The large door opens just right to the Southeast, so no one had to stand out in the rather cool almost non-existent breeze. Hot coffee, donuts, live music and even a nice little fire outside the open doorway helped friends absorb our Pastor’s short inspiring message. With the sun risen and clouds moving in it was off to the church for a hearty breakfast. I think that Christ would have been pleased.

Following early church services, Grannie and your old columnist retired back home for a nice nap. Yes, sunrise comes early this time of year and I had gone out even earlier to host the above celebration. The best of Easter dinners includes a roasted ham and we were privileged to enjoy the repast with our eldest granddaughter and her family. Spiral cut ham and all the fixings it was the best. Having great-grandsons boisterously scurrying about enjoying the largess left by the “Easter Bunny” complete with finding real dyed eggs and their plastic cousins filled with surprises inside stirred our souls. Memorable and wonderful thankyou Mo.

Oh, but times have changed over my rather long lifetime. As a child, I had lost all my grandparents by the time I became aware of such things. I had only one grand, a great grandmother alive to remember. She was a true pioneer and had with her civil war veteran husband homesteaded an acreage not far from our home south of Culbertson. Of good hardy stock, she knew my siblings and me but not being very active due to age our visits were rather subdued. The atmosphere then was nothing like our own rambunctious great-grandsons ages 7, 4 and 2. Twin brothers are on the way but won’t make their appearance until mid-summer. Old age has its benefits thanks to modern medicine and good health.

I have an underclassman from college, Adrian Van Zelfden, who publishes a daily column that he titles “Tidbits in Time Almanac” Today’s tidbit, April 18, 1775, is the anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride spreading the word to the American Colonies of the approaching British Navy. The response to his alarm is credited to the start of the American War of Independence which years later was thankfully successful. Then the author quotes the entire Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem titled “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere”. Probably many of you readers remember that poem from grade school. I wonder if it is still being taught?

Reading the poem once again I am reminded of the epic struggle going on today by the Ukrainians against the invading Russian Army. The Ukrainians only want independence. The Russians conquest. The invaders, like the British so long ago, are finding Ukrainian farmers and other volunteers firing modern weapons at them from behind every bush. One creditable source says that the Russians have lost 460 tanks and 2000 more armored vehicles in their little over month-long war so far. Of course, the Russians are wreaking terrible damage to Ukrainian infrastructure and killing thousands of civilians by the cruel way that they wage war. Hopefully, in time we will see the end of that war with the same result as did the American Revolution. May our government and our allies keep sending the needed supplies and don’t underestimate the ability of the Ukrainian fighters.

Our Pastor sent a note out to all of us today asking us to join the McCook Christian church over the noon hour on Tuesday and Wednesday to pray for rain. Yes, our countryside is terribly dry and rain is much needed. Heavy rain is so needed to stop the huge prairie fires that have raged in the strong winds this spring and remember that after all agriculture is the main economic driver for the greater community in which we live. We, believers, know that prayer will help and for sure it won’t hurt.

That is the way that I saw it.

Dick Trail