This column represents the thoughts and opinions of Jason Hennington. This is NOT the opinion of the Taylor Press.
One of my mentors, Steve Lang, always told me, “Remember not to forget.”
If you know Steve, you know this was said often, usually in a joking manner. However, since January 2020, I’m remembering not to forget – anything!
Fernando (our reporter) asked me this week if there was an MLK March last year. I answered yes, until I realized it was virtual last year.
I think between January 2020 until this past July, some things may have been forgotten. It’s not because I’m however old I am, but I think it’s more because we tend to forget the negative events in our lives. So, did we forget that we had many events canceled last year? No, we just remember the last time we attended them.
The 3-on-3 tournament is a great example. When I promoted in March, I kept saying, “last year, we . . .” But, the previous tournament was in 2019.
Once the pandemic started and had people locked up in their homes, we forgot what things were like after the arrival of COVID-19. We remember not wanting to wear masks and how hard it was to stay inside and not go out in public.
When we remember the Business Expo, we think about walking around the Expo Center talking to different businesses and grabbing free stuff from tables. We may not remember being outside in Heritage Square contending with wind and a threat of rain.
Think about this, the last time Blackland Prairie Days was held was in 2019 – three years ago. But, I bet you can remember something from that event.
Remember the last presidential election? Not because of what happened at the White House on Inauguration Day, but the fact that there was also a local election.
It’s those major little (I know, that’s an oxymoron) things that we have to remember not to forget. If we do, we’re doomed to possibly let it happen again.
Some people have forgotten that COVID-19 still exists. The world has become aware of new variants and how they spread and the impact they have on a person. Flurona is a thing now. I believe that’s having the flu and COVID-19 at the same time – We can’t forget that can happen.
Since COVID-19 has taken away family and friends, I try very hard to remember what the disease is capable of.
Both of my daughters and my wife had COVID-19 and beat it, so I remember that it can be defeated. I won’t forget the effect it had on all of them and how hard I fought not to get it.
Things have opened back up and people are out and about, but we are still in a pandemic.
So, remember not to forget essential things when you leave home like your wallet/purse, your ID, your keys and your mask.
I’m going to get off my soapbox, and I still encourage you to get the vaccine, but that’s your choice.
“We forget all too soon the things we thought we could never forget.”
– Joan Didion
