It’s January 27, 2020 and we get to live it. Of all the people who’ve ever walked on this Earth, we are the only ones to get this opportunity. Life is the greatest prize there is. I will not waste it or take it for granted. Let’s see what the Commission has come up with for today: It’s Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day, National Geographic Day, Thomas Crapper Day, Vietnam Peace Day and National Chocolate Cake Day. While I do enjoy popping bubble wrap, I’m going with chocolate cake. Now to the history of today. In 1591 Scottish schoolmaster Dr. John Fian burned for witchcraft at Castle Hill, Edinburgh by order King James VI. Part of the Berwick witch trials. I looked up the Berwick trials. 70 people, mostly women were charged, tortured and usually burned at the stake. Wow. In 1888, the National Geographic Society is founded in Washington, D.C. In 1918 “Tarzan of the Apes”, 1st Tarzan film, premieres at Broadway Theater. In 1944, the Siege of Leningrad is lifted after 880 days and more than 2 million Russians killed. In 1956 “Heartbreak Hotel” single released by Elvis Presley is his first million-selling single. Elvis said, “I never expected to be anybody important.” Finally, this is the date in 1976 that “Laverne & Shirley” premieres on ABC TV. This date is Lewis Carroll’s birthday (1832). He was the author of Alice in Wonderland. He said, “I can’t go back to yesterday – because I was a different person then.” and “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.” Yesterday was Kobe Bryant’s last one. He was 41 years old. Kobe said, “I’m chasing perfection”. If you read about him or listen to the people who knew him talk, you’ll find that he worked hard to become one of the game’s greatest players. His passing reminds us of how precious life is. With that, I’ll start living this day. Abide
