Change Will Come
Dearest God, Jesus, Holy Spirit,
Thank you for another day. I see the evening hour is here. The sun has hidden behind the clouds.
Thank you Master, for food, shelter and a blanket to keep warm.
I dare not ask for much because so many people are without those basic things.
The big winds from the hurricanes have taken much and stripped so many people bare.
May we ask of you Dearest God for "mercy" on all of us, please!
There are many stories on the news concerning wars, rumors of wars, negative thinking and people stealing from other people.
You said in your word, "Not to be too anxious about anything; that it was a sin to worry"; so we won't.
Dear God, you never change.
We can depend on you!
Dear Readers, how are you today, October 16, 2018? Have you noted that the days are getting cooler, the trees are dropping their leaves, that it is quiet outdoors and folk are a home with a hot cup of tea?
Your beautiful flowers are saying "good-bye. See you next year;" and so it is with the seasons; God changes them and today we look at some of the changes in our town of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
There used to be the telephone numbers of the old Yellow and Oakwood Cab companies; when you got into the cab the meter would start off at 35 cents and you would rush to get in just in case the driver started the meter early.
The old Husker man used to sell families bushels of apples, peaches and pears and your mama and daddy would set them beside the door and we kids would grab them on the way out of the door.
Walking now is considered a valuable exercise to control weight, lower blood pressure and help cure heart disease.
Walking is now just an option, no longer in demand. I walk when I can or when I go to the gym or the YMCA.
Back in the day, on Sunday mornings you could hear the click, clack, click of a woman's high heel shoes heading to church; see kids walking, running and jumping on their way to school; after dinner and dishes were done, kids were outside jumping rope, playing games of hide and seek or just running.
Many daddies and mamas walked to work. Now, women, like my mama who did day work (cleaning White people's homes) catch the bus for the homes too far out.
Even to go to Ramona Amusement Park to have fun, you had to walk. There were no buses on Sundays.
Dear Readers try this walk: Start at the end of Franklin Street, keep walking until you reach Blodgett Hospital continue to Gaslight Village, cross the street. You have arrived at your destination out of breath Whew!! Why? Because you had to carry the little kids who became tired. Thank God, many people now have cars no matter the job.
The African American cleaning Lady can drive her Lexus and do day work! You know why? Because she works hard for the dollar and shey knows how to save — and it is not easy.
Everyone can eat out if they choose, however, there was a time that the African American was not often seen dining at Scotty's (the building was and still is on Division Avenue)!
I must remind you that the Chicken Shack on Division had good food; and those Sweet Potato pies were sooo good.
During Prom and Homecoming night the boy brought you a flower and took you out to eat. Some of the kids would brag that they went to Scotty's restaurant, Win Schuler's or the Pantland Hotel's Knife and Fork. That was big time! Some boys worried that their dates might be too hungry so they always let them order first and in case she ate too much they could always say, "Have you got any hot dogs?"
Thank you Mr. H. R. Kelly for building the Silvia Weekley's Beauty School and Kelly's Drive Inn which were brand new buildings on Franklin Street! One side of the restaurant was for dancing with a great big Juke Box for teenagers, just like Happy Days.
Many people sent their laundry out to American Laundry and when it came back it was washed, folded and wrapped.
When your mama went downtown she always brought back two white bags. The first white bag had Spanish peanuts (still warm from the nut store) and second bag had corn candy.
They were so good when eaten together. By the way, women wore heels and gloves downtown.
Peck's Drug Store acted funny if you tried to sit at the counter to eat.
The Rose Room, was remodeled brand new. It was the old Franklin show, with hardwood floors, mirrors on the wall, tables and chairs and a large Juke Box with a powerful sound system. It was for kids in that area.
Every Friday night for 50 cents we danced and danced — until the recording by the Spaniels played, "Good Night Sweetheart, It's Time To Go!
Keep reading the GRT.
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