Hello Darkness My Old Friend
You may recognize these words as the beginning of a song by legendary singer / songwriter Paul Simon. The first two lines; Hello darkness my old friend………. I’ve come to talk with you again. . . I think of two mornings a week, Tuesday and Thursday especially during this time of the year.
On Tuesday and Thursday mornings, I get up at 5:30. It’s dark outside. But this is the routine to begin my morning that will lead me to Hope College. It’s odd how we equip ourselves with mental markers that seem to move us forward and tell us we’re on the right path to success. You all know the routines that take us from bedroom to bathroom to the breakfast table. I’ve become so acclimated I believe I could do this in my sleep and sometimes do so.
December 21st has now come and gone and it’s a memorable day for several reasons: my sister’s birthday, and it’s the shortest day of the year. Short not in number of hours but rather the number of daylight hours. After that date the days get light earlier and stay light later.
I’m not certain that the human mind ever becomes truly happy that it is “awake” during the hours of morning darkness but that’s just the way it is. Some people enjoy the early morning. There are places of business that utilize three shifts of workers and are in operation around the clock, with one shift working through the night.
For me, once I get in the car, I’m always thankful when I turn the key and the engine starts. And on these cold mornings, I’m also thankful that once the engine warms up and I turn on that heater that works as well. Something in my vehicle now that we didn’t always have in our family car when growing up was a radio. In fact, when I was about to get my driver’s license, I would ask Dad if we would be getting a radio in the car and he would always tell me that he would as soon as it helped him get better gas mileage. Ha! He did relent and came to enjoy having a radio in his car. I did, too.
So now I’m ready to roll. Clear windshield, warm car, radio on, headlights on, and moving without incidence to my first stop which is the Golden Brown Bakery on Main Street here in South Haven. There is a wonderfully delightful lady working behind the counter, who I believe starts her day at 3:30 in the morning. You’d never know it as she is always pleasant while I’m usually first in line to place my order because at the time I arrive there’s no one else in the bakery. Two plain donuts in one small bag for me, a carmel pershing or a cinnamon roll in another small bag to be delivered to my sister Susan when I arrive at Hope College. And one piping hot medium black coffee.
Because it’s still early and dark, I can make a U turn on Main Street as I head east to the expressway. I’m wide awake now and don’t mind being up. Thus far this winter, the expressway (I-96) has always been clear and usually dry. The first sign I pass indicates an exit to take me to the thriving metropolis of Pullman. I pass on that. It’s dark but off in the distance I see the first hint of light.
I’m not a fast driver, so when semi-trucks pass me and signal they are moving back into the right line they typically use their signal light. If they do, I flash my bright beams on them. Then I watch to see if they will signal their “thanks” to me by flashing their lights which they usually do. That takes me back to those times of youth when we sat in the backyard and pumped our first up and down in the air as trucks went by to see if they would honk their horns which they usually did.
On the highway after I pass over the river near Saugatuck, I have a choice to make, the highway splits, I can either go right and head off into the darkness toward Grand Rapids or bear left toward Holland. I bear left and notice it’s getting lighter outside. It’s approaching 8:00 A.M.
I take the first Holland exit onto River Avenue and my destination is now not far away. As you can imagine, parking at Hope College is at a premium. paces can be very difficult to find. But not for me because where I park on the street in front of Van Zoren Hall, there is hardly anyone there ………………….yet.
And now the light of day is upon me. I’m charged and ready to go.
So let me close with the lyrics of another singer / songwriter, Neil Young:
“Keep on rockin’ in the free world.”
This is quite a country we live in, and I try not to take it for granted. I only need watch our students enter the classroom at 9:30 on these Tuesday and Thursday mornings who are filled with joy, enthusiasm, and a sense of purpose.
Routines are meant to be enjoyed.
Have a great week, Marcellus.
You’re the best.
Enjoy your routines
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