Sundays

In Those Days televisions were black and white, and had only a few stations that would be off the air by midnight and return to broadcasting about 7am. As with the telephone, most families had only one. Our family would huddle together in the evening and watch the same channel until it was time for bed. Just the same, we would gather around the telephone when Grandma called, pressing our ears close to the phone, trying only just to hear her Grandma's voice.


Sundays were special for us. Nobody worked on Sunday and every store was closed. So it was our Family Day. After Sunday School, our family we would often take a drive into the country for a picnic. We only had one car, and it was even called a "Country Squire," made just for families like ours. I always looked forward to Sunday dinner, which was usually fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy.


Sundays became different for me as my world evolved. Although I hated to work on Sunday, I often did. There were stores open, abundant color television channels on 24 hour a day, Super Bowls to watch, open shopping centers, theme parks, and two cars to allow the family to do things separately. There were multiple telephones and televisions in our home. The kids had their own bedrooms, friends, sports, and activities, each taking a toll on what Sundays were. Church, visits and calls to my children's Grandamas, family drives, Sunday dinners, all gave way to other activities. After all, you can only do so much when there is so much to do. I seemed to be always "too busy."


For me, Sundays are returning almost like what they were. More church and a stronger Faith, Sunday dinners (although it's never fried chicken), a Sunday drive (but on a Harley), or whittling a stick (but with a power tool), if I choose. Sundays are still the day I most often visit with the Family, even if it's by telephone or this electronic media.


Sunday drive what the rest of my week becomes. I've always loved Sundays, but it is my Sumday thoughts that are the best. Somehow, Mondays seem to come first though. Thinking from the Dock....