Watermelons and Traditions

Today was the annual Watermelon Cutting at Jones,

and since this event is something SGA sponsors, I get the task

of ordering the watermelons. Sounds simple enough, but like everything else that sounds simple,

it never really is.

To have any event on campus you have to deal with at least three other departments.

There is gargage detail that goes through housekeeping,

event set up (tables, chairs, and whatever else is needed) through maintenance,

workorders, emails, etc...

Well, I tried to get out of having the Watermelon Cutting this year because I just didn't want to deal with it. I was quickly shot down by my boss.

When I asked why, I was told it was a tradition and we were going to keep doing it.

Well, I begrudgingly set it up and even went to the store before work this morning

to pick up the plastic forks.

Then 11am rolled around and people started gathering in front of the Chapel. Michael Bradshaw was cutting melons and laying the quarters on tables.

I walked over to make sure things were running smoothly and quickly realized why we need to do this every year.

Everyone from maintenance, grounds, and faculty all the way to the day care, and even the President were there. And everyone was talking and laughing

while dripping watermelon juice everywhere and spitting seeds.

We were all on the same level, laughing and talking and sharing the hot, humid Mississippi morning. No one was talking work...we were all just having fun sharing the moment.

Too often we forget what it's like not to worry.

Sometimes you just need to let the watermelon juice drip and the seeds fly!

That is one tradition that I hope we keep for years to come!