Gratitude

Today is May 6 and also my birthday, a special day for me, indeed.  My Mama used to tell me about the night I was born.  World War II was not yet over, and our family shared a car with my uncle.  Daddy decided to walk over to my uncle’s house to get the car, bring my cousin over to watch my older sister, and then take Mama to the hospital.  However, our house was only a couple of blocks from the hospital, and Mama worried that he would not get back in time so called a neighbor to watch my sister.  In Mississippi we have Blackberry Winter during the Spring, as opposed to Indian Summer in the Fall.  Since it was very chilly, she donned her wool cape and walked to the hospital at 2:00 a.m.  Daddy finally made it to the hospital, where he promptly fell asleep in a chair.  After several times of almost falling off the chair, she told him to go home; and they would call him when the time came. I was born about four hours after she arrived at the hospital, and I feel sure they let Daddy sleep and told him later.  I have always loved that story!

I am also grateful for the guidance and values I was shown as a middle daughter in a loving home.  Every day something comes to mind that I learned very long ago, and I miss the people who taught me and wish I could tell them how grateful I am.  Besides my immediate family (Mama, Daddy, two sisters, and numerous pets), there was my church family, close family friends, neighbors, Girl Scout leaders, school teachers, piano teachers, and all the wonderful kids with whom I shared those care-free days of the forties, fifties, and sixties, and with whom I am still in touch.  After I left to go to college many states away, the experiences I had in my childhood and youth came to my assistance going from a small Southern town to a New England city affording me culture and many new experiences.   That time also gave me the opportunity to know better my aunts, uncles, and many cousins on Mama’s side of the family.  They were nearby when I needed advice on my “grownup” journey.  I am grateful I had the chance to be recognized as myself and not someone’s child, all the while feeling secure in the knowledge that I had counsel from family when needed.  This special time helped me find the path that was intended for me.  I had many “God Winks” and my family’s encouragement along the way.  To be continued . . . .