I have had the ultimate privilege the last two weekends to be apart of two great traditions. Last weekend was my wife's birthday (also another great tradition!!). To celebrate, I took her to the Grand Ole Opry to see Carrie Underwood perform. This was my first trip to the Opry, so I really had no clue what to expect. I WAS BLOWN AWAY! I don't know that I had ever been a part of something that was so rich with history and pride. The Opry started as a radio show with an audience. Each Tuesday, Friday and Saturday the greatest names in Country music gathered together to corporately celebrate their love for their music. Each member uses these times as almost like a family reunion. Even if they weren't performing, stars from all decades would come together just to converse and swap stories. The show was split into 4, half hour shows with a different host and performers. In between each performance were "commercials". At stage right there is an old pulpit where an announcer stands and during the break he reads the announcements or "commercials". The whole show was so old school. Prior to TV, I can imagine families that would rush home on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays to sit around the radio and listen for the best in Country music.
Today, I had the privilege to travel with some friends to Churchill Downs. It wasn't the Kentucky Derby, but it was a day full of horse racing. Everyone dressed in their "Sunday best" loaded down with cash for betting. I was there with my former roomates Timothy and Jonathan and other friends/family of Timothy. It was a bachelor's party/celebration of Timothy. I hate NASCAR, but hanging together cheering on horses as they charge around the track was the most fun that I've had in a long time. Horse trainers and owners work their lives to have that one horse that will lead them to a Derby win. We were also able to view the running of the Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown. Big Brown was able to win to move one race closer to this, the most ilussive crown in all of sports. No horse in 30 years has won this crown.
Two events, both with such rich history and tradition. Coming from a society that tends to look down on traditions and customs in order to find the new, best thing. That begs my first question....do things that matter last - or do things that last matter? I hope that my children will be able to look back and enjoy the times that we gathered around the radio and listened to the Opry, no matter what new Disney show is running. And no matter what new theme park appears, I hope that our family will long for the days that we spend on the farm or at the race track!! Hope and peace.....
Today
