|
|
|
The radio announced that the public broadcast system was going to conduct a test, and reiterated that it was only a test. I turned down the volume, while the bleeping sounds did their thing, and realized that I had never really listened to the instructions afterwards, because it never had been a real emergency.
Apparently the government cut back on airtime expense because after the bleeping sounds stopped there were no instructions. So there you have it. We know that the bleeping SOS signals mean something has gone terribly wrong, although our time is up for knowing the emergency instructions, as if to tell us we should have listened the first time.
I'm thinking they had told us something about taking shelter and I'm pretty sure they never really told us where. Going to the basement with an atomic bomb coming this way probably isn't going to cut it. If there are bomb shelters in the area, I wouldn't have a clue where to look for them and besides how many people can they hold?
I told myself to stop worrying about it because, as they said, it was only a test. Testing never was one of my better skills in school, unless of course they were multiple choice, as there aren't too many questions that can't be answered with a few options.
Throughout the years I have asked myself, and the guy upstairs, if I was being tested and even though I never got a straight answer or a grade, most of the time I know when I've scored big or failed.
So if life is a test, I wonder how we, as a nation, are scoring right now with the economy in turmoil, fighting in a war and arguing about who gets bailed out or not. Guess it depends on who's doing the grading.
I think that if we were being graded as a nation our grade point average is getting nervously below satisfactory.
I also believe that if we are being graded as individuals who care about the well being of our country, we would get a smiley face and a high score for good effort.
Even though times are tough, we still see the true spirit of good people shining through and that's when I know that everything will be all right. People who reach out to help others, even though they don't have much themselves. Families who band together, couples who embrace crisis with a love fierce enough to weather any storm. Friends who listen, who care and take action if it's needed.
The radio announced that the public broadcast system was going to conduct a test, and reiterated that it was only a test. I turned down the volume, while the bleeping sounds did their thing, and realized that I had never really listened to the instructions afterwards, because it never had been a real emergency.
Apparently the government cut back on airtime expense because after the bleeping sounds stopped there were no instructions. So there you have it. We know that the bleeping SOS signals mean something has gone terribly wrong, although our time is up for knowing the emergency instructions, as if to tell us we should have listened the first time.
I'm thinking they had told us something about taking shelter and I'm pretty sure they never really told us where. Going to the basement with an atomic bomb coming this way probably isn't going to cut it. If there are bomb shelters in the area, I wouldn't have a clue where to look for them and besides how many people can they hold?
I told myself to stop worrying about it because, as they said, it was only a test. Testing never was one of my better skills in school, unless of course they were multiple choice, as there aren't too many questions that can't be answered with a few options.
Throughout the years I have asked myself, and the guy upstairs, if I was being tested and even though I never got a straight answer or a grade, most of the time I know when I've scored big or failed.
So if life is a test, I wonder how we, as a nation, are scoring right now with the economy in turmoil, fighting in a war and arguing about who gets bailed out or not. Guess it depends on who's doing the grading.
I think that if we were being graded as a nation our grade point average is getting nervously below satisfactory.
I also believe that if we are being graded as individuals who care about the well being of our country, we would get a smiley face and a high score for good effort.
Even though times are tough, we still see the true spirit of good people shining through and that's when I know that everything will be all right. People who reach out to help others, even though they don't have much themselves. Families who band together, couples who embrace crisis with a love fierce enough to weather any storm. Friends who listen, who care and take action if it's needed.
Sure I'm an optimist and will continue to look on the bright side, even when things look bleak. But then again, we never know when the true test is coming, so I want to be as prepared as I can.
Time is of the essence, so they say, so if they ever give those emergency instructions again, I'm going to listen. Not because I think we're going to be attacked but because I think I need to start paying attention to the things I'm supposed to listen to.
I've heard that the answers that come from above are either yes, no or wait and the final grade will be based on whether or not we've been listening – although I'm pretty sure the final question is multiple choice.
Sandy Turner lives in the Kansas City area and writes this column for GateHouse Media.
