Grandpa,
I am writing to you from on the road. I travel for business and am currently out of state on a day trip. I saw a sign that thrilled me. It said that a (fast food franchise) is open for business with inside sit-down service! I got off the expressway to get breakfast. The place has all of the CDC recommended protections in place; every other table is closed, the hand sanitizers, the one- way in and out doors, and the face masks requirement. How in God’s name we can have a meal at a table when we are wearing face masks is beyond me. Perchance, that is the reason that I am the only patron at a table. As I sit here and watch, I see other patrons taking their purchases to go. I am glad to see that people are not giving the staff members a hard time. I just thought you might like to know what I saw.
Grandpa says: I sure hope you are kidding me. Table serve with a face mask requirement? The idea is laughable. Scriptures tell us that in the end times man will run to and fro and knowledge will increase. Notice it says knowledge. We see now why it does not say wisdom. Thank you for information. I pray you have a safe and enjoyable trip.
Grandpa,
I would like to comment on your opinion about the riots and destruction in May and June of this year. (See The Voice, June 11, 2020). I think you are not recognizing the hate crimes committed by those who were rioting. As a black man raised in the 1960s, I do not choose to be called African American. I am an American, not African, with naturally dark complexion. I have never been in Africa. One of the stupidest atrocities committed by the rioters is the division created by the names we are putting on ourselves.
Grandpa says: You make a valid point. We are all one people, the race is human. We misname ourselves when we confuse heritage with race. We are homo-sapiens. The word homo comes from the Latin word meaning same. I believe that God created every species of plant and animal to have a variety of hues and colorations in order to bring beauty to his creation. How boring this world would be if all flowers were, shall we say, yellow. From the fishes in the sea to the leaves on the trees, each has its own distinct and personal traits. God created the differences, the evil one has distorted God’s gift into a reason to hate. In my younger days, I was involved in prison ministry. We used to teach that to not create more victims, one should look at others with great attention to the likenesses. “Just like me, this person wants only to live his or her life in peace. Just like me, this person….” The global term is empathy, sensitivity to the wants and needs of our neighbors. Thank you for your timely letter. In the spirit of brotherly love, I bid you peace.
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Aurora, IL 60507 or send an E-mail to askgrandpa@thevoice.us.