 | Faye Graves, a native Wichitan, attended school at Friends and Wichita State, concluding at Midwestern Theological Seminary. He has been active in media for many years with Channel 12, KIRL, KFDI, KOOO AM & FM (Omaha), KFRM & KICT 95, as an owner, manager, producer, director and announcer. He has served as President of the Haysville Board of Education. He has also served on several national boards of the Southern Baptist Convention. Faye currently serves as Executive Pastor and Director of Administration and Education at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 S. Topeka, Wichita. You may contact Faye by e-mail fmgraves@amenibc.org, or by phone at (316) 262-1452. |
Nostalgia
2008-04-01 12:10:00
Remember...
Question: Can you share some of your thoughts about Spring?
Answer: Spring in Wichita has always been the prettiest time of the year, with the blossoming of the pear trees, the red buds, flowers coming up and the robins’ return.
This past winter has been an exceptionally hard one, with the ice storms destroying so much property and towns and last Spring’s tornados’ after effects. There have been up and down temperatures which have spurred on the flu bugs. But now, Spring has begun. We’ve had some wind and hail, but soon we hope to see the real beauty of this time of year and enjoy the warm air to come.
That brings on another thought. Do you remember years ago what it was like to roll your car windows down with your hand? There were no automatic windows. You could open the outside vent in front of your windshield as there was no automobile air conditioning. Then, you could raise your home windows and sleep with the night air blowing across your bed. There was a peace and tranquility in the feeling of that night air.
In public buildings, theaters, churches and at home, you would hear the noise of the fans as they were placed in strategic places to blow on you during the day and night.
There was always the first time each year you put away the heavy wool clothing, dressed in something light, with short sleeves and bright colors. You would walk down the street with no coat or jacket and see folks working in their lawns, using the old push mowers and hand sickles to cut brush and weeds. Some would be washing their cars. Ladders would be propped against the house as painting was being done, roofs fixed, getting rid of all the signs of winter that had just passed.
Those of us who are old enough remember the days before television, air conditioning and everything with power. After working outside, hand cranking a freezer of homemade ice cream was always something to look forward to. While waiting for the ice cream, we would drink a Coke, Grapette, R.C., Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Root Beer or Vess Cola that was real cold from a bucket of ice. We loved to hear the hiss as we popped off the lid and drank from that bottle. It was a tranquil time.
Like then, it’s time once again to enjoy Spring in all its splendor.
Be safe.
