Greeson: Just for today, be more like Luther

Jay Greeson

How do you spend your Mondays?

Is it a dread-filled approach to the first day of another long week that could be good or bad?

Is it a flare-filled anxiety of another full week that features more bosses than "Shark Tank" and a gangster movie?

Let's make today different.

Let's make today -- this Monday -- special in honor of arguably the most famous Chattanoogan of the modern era.

Let's celebrate Luther Day by being more like Luther Masingill.

Luther was the voice of Chattanooga before most of us were alive. He worked in the media markets around these parts for more than 70 years, earning everyone's trust and saving as many pets as possible for WDEF. He did it through a variety of media that ranged from the traditional to the new-age and connected with more people than anyone could have imagined.

Luther was Chattanooga's Facebook before any Ivy League wise guy would have imagined the concept.

Luther, as David Carroll and Roy Exum have written in the last week, was the connection who delivered the news and newly delivered a connection to everyone in these parts. Whether you were familiar with the Knot Hole Gang or moved to town because of the gig, you were well aware of Luther.

And that was a glorious thing.

So today -- which would have been Luther's 93rd birthday -- let's celebrate like Luther would have.

Let's be a better version of ourselves.

Let's do what we can to improve our surroundings rather than curse our circumstances.

Let's embrace a sense of community that normally we ignore because of the business or the complexity of our day-to-day lives.

We live in a time with Fast-Pass rides at Disney and quick-order lines at restaurants that betray Luther's slow-paced style and soft-spoken charm. We are quick to commend and even quicker to condemn.

So on this Monday -- on Luther's Monday -- can we approach life with a slower stride? Can we move to the beat of a communal drummer who bangs the sticks of community?

So, what will you do to celebrate Luther Day?

You could buy a police officer lunch. You could adopt a pet. You could leave a little earlier and drive a little slower -- and maybe even smile during traffic, since smiles were what Luther delivered to hundreds of thousands of Chattanooga listeners through the years -- on your commute this morning.

You could practice random acts of kindness that would be a great way to live every day, but would be a warranted tip of the cap on this day to Luther, the face of our fair town.

Celebrate Luther Masingill Day however you see fit, that's how he would have wanted it.

Just remember to celebrate it, because it makes us a better city, and that's how we should all want it.

Jay Greeson's column will appear on Page A2 on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. His sports columns are scheduled for Tuesdays and Fridays. You can read his online column the 5-at-10 Monday through Friday at timesfreepress.com after 10 a.m. Contact him at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com and follow him on Twitter at @ jgreesontfp.