Well, I don't know if this one qualifies as funny in itself. Many years ago, we were doing the pre-memorial prep.
This was at the old Perry, GA congregation in the old Kingdom Hall. I will say to the credit of the folks there, that whoever showed up to clean actually did work. So the cleaning was underway, and I and my best friend Arra were trying to help. We got assigned to arrange the chairs. The normal configuration of seating was two full-length rows in back, only offset a little for the microphone control and record player. Yeah, that was back when Kingdom Melodies were on vinyl. In front of that was an aisle maybe a couple of rows across, then the main section of seats. One section on the left and one on the right with a central aisle in between.
It was a really small space and there was only so much you could do. Our instructions were to rearrange all the seats into one group. Make easy work for the attendants passing the emblems. Of course, leave that very last row against the back wall for the persona non grata.
So Arra and I start moving chairs. Then the idea hits me and I get creative. Hey, we're making everything as perfect as we can right? We started out making perfectly straight rows, all evenly spaced. Armrests perfectly aligned, each row spaced an equal distance from the one in front. Not good enough for me and Arra. We both had the same idea. Curve 'em! Make each row an arc so everyone is facing the speaker. That took some time, since I can be very much a perfectionist. Guess that's what draws me to being an alignment tech now. So we started in the center of each row, each working to opposite ends of the row. Angling each chair just a little, trying very hard and acheiving symmetry in our alignments.
When we were done, Arra and I were very proud of the new configuration. Ok, I'm harping on detail here. My folks and his folks thought is was great.
Memorial time. Probably not even a hundred there. As everyone takes their seats, the "change" is not welcome. My family was one of two that moved in to "serve where the need was greater". The "original" (best term I can think of) Perry Congregation members all shifted their chairs and the curved rows disappeared within minutes. My dad and the other "new" elder just shook their heads.
You know, that was a pretty trivial thing to post but looking back I do find it funny now. Funny that people would be so hostile to any change whatsoever that they would move their chairs only an inch or two, but also that at the time that I would actually take it personal and get mad about it.
Oh well.
Let me offset that with a more positive tale.
There was this sister. I cannot for the life of me remember her name. The way my mind works, it will come to me sometime between tomorrow and Saturday so remind me and I'll let you know. Older, in her 50's or 60's. Her husband, I do remember his name. "Ernie" was a stroke victim and couldn't talk. He'd shake your hand, smile, and mumble something you couldn't understand but he was always so sweet and friendly and loved everyone and any attention he was shown. Anyway - Louise I think her name was - this sister. She was always the first person at the Hall on a Sunday morning. When the rest of us arrived, her old green Chevelle (painted green with house paint with paintbrushes by her and my Granny Eleanor) was always there in the parking lot. Ernie was sitting on one of the little benches in the garden by the entrance and she was busy sweeping the walkway outside the Hall. Not trying to score points or show off, she did it because she wanted to. She loved the Hall. Louise and Ernie made all Hall cleanings, Ernie greeted everyone and Louise cleaned. Regardless of what you think of R&F dubs, she and Ernie were two of the gems.
Mike.
Edited by - bendrr on 12 June 2002 21:3:30
