Church Picnics Past, Present and Future

Where has the music gone? What happened to the polkas and waltzes? Why isn’t there any hustle and bustle around the church grounds? All remains quiet and still. I don’t hear the auctioneer in the distance. No one is dancing, playing games, or just sitting around enjoying the day.

What I miss most is the aroma in the air of frying chicken. Somewhere a gathering of men should be intensely manning the cook station. Fryers bubbling with timers set ensuring the chickens are cooked to perfection.

I saw a glimpse of people walking by, some with masks and others taking them off. Oh wait, the pandemic has eased. The new fast tracked vaccines have proven to be effective. Thank God.

Smile’s appearing on faces, happiness once again. The reuniting of family and friends renders tears to our eyes. Love wasn’t lost, only stripped for a time.

I am beginning to hear the sound of music. The rhythmic Czech beat echoes in my ears bringing back memories. The picnics, as we call them, are back. Many come from afar to meet and greet friends and relatives of old, with newborns welcomed for the first time.

Remember, whenever fried chicken, stew, or sausage can be found on any given Sunday, they will come.