Yogi Berra was one of the all-time greats in the history of Major League Baseball. So good was he that just recently a postage stamp was issued by the United States Postal Service with his name and likeness. Berra was not only famous for his baseball prowess but for his many sayings known as “Yogi-isms.” A few of his most popular:
- “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”
- “It’s getting late earlier.”
- “You can observe a lot by watching.”
Yogi Berra definitely had his own unique twist on describing his thoughts and observations.
Sometimes kids have their own Yogi-isms. Art Linkletter, a talk show host in the 1950s and 1960s, pioneered a show and several books titled “Kids Say the Darndest Things.” One memorable conversation he had with a child:
“My father’s a schoolteacher,” the child says.
“That’s a fine profession. Does he like it?” responds Linkletter.
“He only has one thing to complain about,” the child offers.
“What’s that?” Linkletter inquires.
“The kids,” the child responds.
August brings that time of year when parents, kids, and teachers are in that back-to-school routine. It seems to get earlier every year or maybe time is moving faster. Even if kids don’t have to walk to school uphill both ways like my generation did, returning to classes is a great time.
We tried to do the best things we knew possible last year with a world of uncertainty due to the pandemic. Separation from classmates and friends for an extended time can’t be good. Hopefully, those days are in the past. Take time this year to support our kids whether in school, organizations or youth programs. Our future belongs to them. Remember another Yogi-ism, “Life is a learning experience only if you learn.”
Terry Hobbs is the board president for Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. He is also a member of Western Cooperative Electric’s Board of Trustees in WaKeeney.