“Twas the day of the Friendship dinner, when all through the church,
Setup crews were busy with details, sand and nails were in search;
The tents were up in the parking lot with care,
In hopes that guests soon would be there;
The children were dressed in yellow, blue and red,
While visions of fun and games danced in their heads;
And teachers dressed in casual wear, and I in my cap,
We had just settled down with a Sunday school map.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the chair to see what was the matter.
Away to the windows we flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The sun on the breast of the new-fallen dew
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects anew,
When, what to our wondering eyes should appear,
But basketballs goals, and five moon bouncers set up here,
Our Pastor excited, so lively and quick,
Bro. Kenny has grills, and wood by the rick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
“Now, Todd! Now, Cosme! Now, Will and Andy!
On, Charles! On, Eddie! On, Mark and Randy!
Fill up the parking lot to the back wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, look to the sky,
So up to the platform the musicians they flew,
With the children’s choir, and Sis Carmen too.
And then, in a moment, I heard them sing
The children’s melodious voices begin to ring.
As I drew in my breath, and was turning around,
Across the platform Bro. Elms came with a bound.
He was dressed in casual clothes from his head to his toe,
And his clothes were disheveled but hardly did show;
A mic in one hand, and took one step back,
And he greeted the visitors without any slack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He opened his Bible and read a short verse,
The teachings of God must come first;
Makeovers are like caterpillars that eat the leaves away,
Miracles are beautiful butterflies that will come your way.
The lesson was short, anticipation filled the air,
Everyone was ready for hamburgers, hotdogs and the social affair.
We had bouncers for the young and old,
And everyone had a blast,
Preparation was far-reaching, time shall unfold,
Pictures, slideshows, and memories will be a thing of the past.
There was even an “old fashion game,” called jump rope,
Some jumped fast, double Dutch, high stepping and others just loped.
The young people were busy as little elves
And I laughed when I saw them, in spite of myself.
Cleanup crews sprang to the kitchen and the parking lot,
There was plenty of work for everyone who sought.
We had a “Grand Ole Time,” which was just right,
“Thank you to all, and to all a good-night.”
