Broadcaster Press 13 November 26, 2019 www.broadcasteronline.com PRAIRIE DOC® PERSPECTIVES Language, Literature, Ethics, Music and Spirit and spiritual energy, and the family wouldn’t have grasped the true A muddle and mixture of family depth and value of the woman or and friends surrounded the dying el- the connection and love they shared derly woman like she was a campfire. with her and each other. The huThey came to honor and pay their manities give us meaning, but, from respects; many generations, from all where and why did they begin? over the country. This group seemed There is no well educated, well-read, and the record or hard intellectual discussions were tossed evidence as to how around in that room like a basketor when Homo ball. She had said, to all, that it was sapiens began time. “Please stop the dialysis,” she speaking, but insisted, and, it was stopped. At first, there are plenty she was almost holding court, but of theories. The over the days, as she was slipping one I like the most across to the other side, the hymns asserts that, at RICHARD started filling theBroaspilling out room, dc first, we sang and aster HOLM 2x1 into the hospital halls, helping to online.co m drummed descripcarry her home. Tears of sadness, tive sounds while appreciation, joy and family love pantomiming huntflowed freely the night she died. ing stories around the campfire Hers was a story about language, until, over hundreds and thousands literature, ethics, music and spirit. of years, words and lyrics evolved. Take away language and literature, Much later, words became literature and the appreciation she deserved when written down in a retrievable for years of pushing for education way, first on clay tablets, then, on and learning for her family and papyrus, parchment, paper and, friends would have passed without now, computers. notice. Take away ethics, and the More than one linguistic expert patient wouldn’t have known she has theorized that it was language could stop dialysis. Take away music which facilitated the Homo sapiens BY RICHARD P. HOLM, MD species to grow and dominate. When ethical words about a common virtue, or rule, convinced, inspired and unified large collections of tribes, these ancient groups became empowered. Words from The Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” or the Code of Hammurabi, “A bag of barley is worth two shekels of silver,” and even song lyrics like, “Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy),” have pushed civilization forward. The history of humanity has been made bright by language, literature, ethics, music and spirit. Also bright was that room with the elderly dying patient and her loving and singing family and friends. Richard P. Holm, MD is founder of The Prairie Doc® and author of “Life’s Final Season, A Guide for Aging and Dying with Grace” available on Amazon. For free and easy access to the entire Prairie Doc® library, visit www.prairiedoc.org and follow Prairie Doc® on Facebook 3x1 featuring On Call with the Prairie Doc® a medical Q&A show streaming on Facebook and broadcast on SDPB most Thursdays at 7 p.m. central. Broadcasteronline.c om Broadcasteronline.c om Read 4x1 TODD’S ELECTRIC SERVICE “The Line To Power” and Recycle! Holiday Open House At The Library On Dec. 5 Vermillion, SD - The Edith B. Siegrist Vermillion Public Library is pleased to invite you to its Annual Holiday Open House, following the Vermillion Downtown Parade of Lights on Thursday, Dec. 5. The “Standstill” Parade will begin at 6 p.m. on Main Street, ending with Santa’s arrival and the tree lighting ceremony at 6:45 p.m. Following the parade, everyone is invited to head on over to the library for pictures with Santa, hot cocoa, cookies, holiday crafts, and a performance by the Vermillion Children’s Choir. The Friends of the Vermillion Public Library will also be opening their doors for a special evening book sale during the open house. Children’s books will be half-price, so this is the perfect time to stock up on gifts for the holidays! The Holiday Open House will run from 6:45 to 8 p.m. and is fun for the whole family. For more information email vplstaff@vermillionpubliclibrary.org or call 605-677-7060. The Edith B. Siegrist Vermillion Public Library is located at 18 Church Street in Vermillion, SD. Driver Exam Schedules At Vermillion, Yankton Stations PIERRE — Schedule changes have been announced for the South Dakota Driver License exam stations in Vermillion and Yankton. Starting July 1, 2019, the Yankton station will be open three days a week while the Vermillion station will be open one day a week. Driver License Director Jane Schrank says the change was made to accommodate public demand. “We have seen more people using the Yankton exam station in recent months,” she said. “Having that site open another day gives the staff more time to process the applications for licenses and license renewals.” Schrank says the new schedule calls for the Yankton exam station to be open every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Hours are 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. for the station, which is located in the Janner Building at the Human Services Center, 3113 Spruce St. The Vermillion exam station will be open from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. every Thursday. The station is located at 11 E. 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