Spirits

I spent most of my formative years in this Pearl, Mississippi house.  It holds so many memories for me both good and bad.   I cannot believe it is being sold.

This house remains one of the most interesting places I have ever lived.   I will always remember lying in bed and listening to the sound of people walk down the halls.  It never scared me; it just was.  I also remember seeing a woman walk down the hallway and hearing voices in rooms where people were not.  It was unnerving at times; but it was always fun living in a haunted house.   I remember when I first heard my mom and grandma mention to me about the spirits.  I had never heard them speak of such things… it actually surprised me; but let me know that It was not just me that experienced it.   The weirdest thing was when things would move.  You couldn’t expect anything to stay in one place, it would inexplicably move to another part of the room or another room in general.  You just never knew what would happen. 

I can’t help but wonder if my mom is now counted among the spirits that reside at 306 Pearl Drive.  She passed away in the living room sleeping in her bed.  She slept in there because she was an amputee and getting around was easier than going into and down the hallway.  

I wonder if she made friends with the other spirits in the house too.  In life, she never met a stranger… I doubt death would stop her. 

Debbie

How can you say goodbye to someone that meant the world to you?

If you figure this out, please let me know.

Debbie was my best friend, there is no doubt to that.  She came into my life so suddenly at the end of a chapter.  We were a family, she guided me and listened when I needed it most.  I will never forget our many adventures and the things we saw together.  Everything from spontaneous trips down the trace to sitting at 10 pm on the reservoir looking at the moon in a telescope.   We were there for one another for many years.  When circumstances forced her to leave Mississippi, Debbie pushed me to do the same.  I don’t know that I would have without her support and urging.  Even when life finally did separate us she was there for me and I was there for her too.   I was there when she passed, I don’t know why it happened the way it did… I never will understand it.  The night before there was no warning, we talked and things were like it used to be… and then she was gone.   Things happen that we can never understand and I know that I am very blessed to have had her in my life.  I there isn’t a day where I do not think of her, my heart will forever be missing a piece.   Miss you, Debbie.

Deborah Emiline Reeder Smith 

November 15, 1965 – March 15, 2007

Deborah Emiline Reeder Smith, 51, of Panama City, FL passed away suddenly on Wednesday, March 15, 2017.  She was born on November 15, 1965 in Natchez, MS.  Debbie was employed as a Human Resource Director with Community Based Options in Panama City.  She was a Bay County resident since moving here from Brandon, MS around 6 years ago.

Debbie had a passion for crafts, loved to paint and cook.  She was GG to her grandson Brantley whom she loved unconditionally and who brought unlimited joy into her life.

She is preceded in death by her father, Joseph Steven “Steve” Reeder.

Debbie is survived by her daughter, Samantha Smith; a grandson, Brantley Farkash; her mother, Judy Reeder; her sister, Stephanie Glidden (Eric); a brother, Joey Reeder; a niece, Kaitlin Gordon; a nephew, Will Reeder; and her special friends, Sundei Granberg, Grant Blakeney, Sue Nester, and Donna “DJ” Heaton.

A celebration of her life will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at Southerland Family Funeral Home Chapel.  The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 A.M. until service time.

Secrets

You can tell so much from looking into someones eyes,   You can see their secrets no matter how they try to hide them. 

My Hero...

On Sunday January 6, 2013 I lost my hero.   My Grandmother Lalia Louise Hawthorne Wixson passed from this world.  It is a hard thing to accept, someone that meant so much to me no longer a phone call away… There are moments where it is almost unbearable.

But then I think of the legacy that she left me.

Every time I look in the mirror, I see her work in progress.  She took me in when I needed her and she insured that I went to school and had every tool that she was able to give me to live the best life I possibly can.   

And I will. 

Every breath I take, every moment… will be in honor of her. 

Lalia Louise Wixson

August 4, 1939 – January 6, 2013

Louise Wixson, 73, passed from this life Sunday, January 6, 2013 at Hospice Ministries, Ridgeland.

Visitation is 5:00-8:00pm Monday, January 7, 2013 at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl. Graveside services arer 2:30pm Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at Drakes United Methodist Church Cemetery in Flowood. 

She was born August 4, 1939 in Madison County, a daughter of the late Robert Lee Hawthorne and Catherine Lee Eley Hawthorne. She was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker and a member of Drakes United Methodist Church.

Survivors include sons, James Grant Wixson and wife Michele and Bubba Wixson and wife Becky; daughters, Sheila Williams and husband Marvin and Tina Wixson; brother, Henry Hawthorne; sisters, Sarah Haskins, Betty Dulworth, Annette Creel, Clara Reid and Margaret Hawthorne; grandchildren, Jayroe Williams and wife Rebecca, Heather Williams, Christina Shores, Grant Blakeney, John Wixson and Kirby Wixson; and great-grandchildren, Autumn Williams, Destiny Crosby, Hanna Crosby, Hayden Shores and Charles Williams.

Becoming One

Two hearts combine into one,

something that can not be undone.

The beauty that begins,

when two hearts glow with the love within.

Souls intertwine into something more,

a new love that outshines what came before.

True Wealth

I am lucky to have people in my life that have been there since the very early days.   People say friends come and go, but I have learned that more often than not friends just grow into family.   I am very blessed to be able to say this about the people in my life, as  I consider myself one of the luckiest people in the world to have so many people that were not born into my family but are just as much my family as those that were.   That is true wealth.  

The photo is one of these friends that I speak of, this is Sharissa Sakcriska, I have known her my entire life. 

Blessing

Here we are on the cusp of yet another holiday season, and I can't help but think that we forget at times what the holidays are really  about. Well after much meditation and soul searching, the answer came to me.. Community. That is truly what it is about, we may not realize it, but if we sit and think.. even for a second, we will realize how very lucky to have such a wonderful network of people.

Sometimes when I feel the loneliest, I think of the people that I can count on, and these are the people that I hope can count on me. These people range from my family, to my friends, and the people somehow manage to bend the family/friend barrier. But I am also lucky to count each and everyone of you in my extended community. So no matter what holiday's you celebrate, be it Yule, Christmas, Hanukkah, or even the upcoming Thanksgiving. I hope that each and every one of your lives are filled with love, and prosperity, and I offer a small blessing to each of you, including the people that have come into our lives, and may have stepped out.



"To put the world right in order,
we must first put the nation in order;
To put the nation in order,
we must first put the family in order;
To put the family in order,
we must first cultivate our personal life;
We must first set our hearts right."
~Confucius



Brightest Blessings

This RetroPost was originally posted on 19-Nov-2006 at 12:18AM.                 M

The 'O'

America is full of many different restaurant chains, and I always had my preferences. I always loved O’Charley’s, the food is pure Americana, and the people always seem to be genuinely friendly. I always wondered why people I have known seemed to love to work for the company. It was not until February 2009 when I found employment with the restaurant that I discovered just how special my O’Charley’s is, we are a family. I always hope that others find a place that is as fun and supportive a place to work, I am lucky to have two wonderful jobs.

Update: Sadly, this location has closed. 

Come eat with us sometime!

Draco

Sometimes things happen that remind you that people that are gone are still with us. I always associate Dragon Flies with a specific person who passed away in 2008, someone I have been thinking of a lot lately. So needless to say when a Dragon Fly paid a visit with me and some friends yesterday, I was very pleased and even felt at peace inside knowing that even though people are gone… a piece of them still is with you.

The last time a Dragon Fly visited… was the day that my friend left us… We miss you Loraine!

Eyes

It is one of the most repeated quotes known to man, “eyes are the windows to the soul.” Granted this is the truth, you can look into person’s eyes and learn so much about them. It is also one of my favourite things to photograph… it does not matter whose they are, it is one of natures most wonderful gifts, no matter the species… they offer a glimpse into the beauty of nature that exists in each of us. The above photo is of one of my best friends Debbie, she was watching her daughter play soccer, I got some interesting photos, and this is one of my favourites.



These are my eyes…



These are my friend Lisa’s young son BB’s eyes…

African Goodies

The world is a mystical place. Many people I know are geocentric; there is nothing outside the borders of the USA. I personally have always been interested and embrace the world outside the borders of my home country, yes the USA has much to offer… but so does our brethren on foreign shores. I have only had the chance to travel beyond the borders of my home country once, thus far… but I love to send and receive packages from my friends in their home countries and continents. Today I received such a package from a friend and fellow blogger Jo, the package contained many goodies from Africa. I received Rooibos Tea from South Africa, as well as dried beef, and fruit, coins from Namibia and the Sudan, beautiful shells, rocks, and crisp bread… all items that are new to me and I can not wait to try, and cherish. This made my day so much brighter, Thank you so much Jo!

If anyone else out there would be interested in a similar cultural exchange… I am always in!

Best Mate!

\

A friend once told me that once a mate, a mate forever. I believe that whole heartedly, friends are a rare commodity, and should be honored and cherished. I am very lucky for the friends that I do have in my life, and I know that friends do come into your life, and they do occasionally drift out… but they will always remain in your heart.

This same friend painted this Aboriginal art, it signifies her home country of Australia…

Do it...

The world is full of unknown adventures waiting to be had, and I am just waiting to get out and have them. Time for my first adventure is approaching fast, and I can hardly contain the excitement… Someday, I hope that people look back and say that they wish they could have seen just a few of the places that I have seen, and perhaps they will actually do it. I do not seek to inspire envy, because there is no reason why life can not be lived, it is meant to be lived. Most people look at life as going through each day as a task… I wake up and go to work, and that is it… No, there is a whole world out there, and if you do not at least try to see it and touch it… there is no point. Me, I want to touch it… and I think I will.

"Do it Now… There is only Now, Right Now” – George Balanchine

Photo: This is my friend Rand’s refrigerator, she has been many places and seen many things… I admire that quality in anyone…

Spirits

Once, I went riding, I went all the way out to Rosemary Road and the Old Rickety one lane wooden Bridge, over the Pearl River, next to where my mom lives. Well I stopped the truck and got out, and walked across the bridge, it was so beautiful under the moonlight and stars, when I reached the other side I went and walked to the bank over looking the river, its calm water moving slowly under the rays of the Full Moon. You could feel the spirits past, and for me memories past, all moving with the cool breeze, it was one of the most surreal experiences I’ve had in a long time. Well I walked back over to the bridge, and I decided to do something really stupid. I stood up on the railing of the bridge and held onto one of the metal support beams and just looked down, I knew I was ok, I had a good grip… but it was dangerous it’s a long fall to the cold water below, but the view was amazing, and the rush was thrilling, I felt connected to the land, the moon, in a place where I have spent most of my life visiting, and have recently spent time hating, the river and the Rosemary Bridge truly are Magical and I knew that once and this just reminded me, now I know why my mom doesn’t want to leave “the River.”

Photo: The Man in the Photo is my friend Lisa's father, and by default my adopted father, Jim Barfield.

Happy Holidays!

This is the season that the world is supposed to unite and share and good cheer for one another, so many religions have major celebrations at this time of the year… that it truly is the holiday season. This is the season for giving, for showing others that you care… that you think of them even when they are not right in front of you. This is the time where we share our lives with strangers and donate to the less fortunate, and open our hearts like we never even consider doing other times of the year.

Why is that?

I Challenge Everyone that reads my blog to take the joy and love of the holiday season, and carry it with them throughout the entire year…

Happy Holidays… I wish each and everyone a Very Happy Holiday Season and A Happy New Year!

Dare to Be Different

Because Plain Vanilla Can Be Boring!!!!!

In Loving Memory

Wonderful people come in and touch your life as you go through your trials and tribulations, these people travel with you for a while, and offer their unconditional companionship and love… as all to often after a while and for whatever reasons, they once again drift away. Without rhyme or reason you just loose touch and go your separate ways, and occasionally a thought or a feeling will remind you of the friends that have come in and drifted away. But no matter what, there is always a comfort of knowing that they will be there, and that you know that they are well… But there are times when suddenly that feeling of security is taken away, and the friend that you loved has drifted further away than any place on this world.

In Loving Memory Of Loraine Crockett, May You Find Peace On Your Journey, And Know You Were Loved By So Many!

Night Owls

This is my modern take on the Edward Hopper classic painting Night Hawks, one of my favorite pieces of all time. Waffle House is definitely a staple restaurant, one at every exit, and they serve fast and good breakfast food at all hours of the morning. If you look very close in the photo you will see three of my friends Celeste, Stacy, and Eric… granted you have to be looking for them.

351 Airport Rd S
Pearl, MS 39208-6695

(601) 936-6531

True Friendship

Friends are hard to come by, and I thought at one point I had surrounded myself with people I could count on. And as I was once again reminded yesterday, boy was I wrong. But the past is the past, and the riff-raff has drifted far and away, thanks to a lie that was spread to my detriment, and yet created my ultimate benefit. It is amazing how you can surround yourself with so many people you can call friends, and yet actually only have one or two real ones.

I can honestly say though, that I now have a wonderful group of people I can count on, and I know would not abandon me at the drop of a hat.

In fact this photo that symbolizes to me true friendships was taken as a result of at least one branch of the wonderful new friends that I have been blessed with… This is Molly (The Retriever) and Jackson (The Shiatsu) cuddling with one another.

Building a Life

It is slowly coming together!!! Set construction for Mame has proven to be an interesting task, such as a movable winding staircase. Not to mention all the other fun set pieces that will be employed during production. I’m really having fun with this play, and I am so very glad that I got involved with the Theatre.

Friendships are what it is all about; family is always there, and they are usually biased. But friends are the people that you can count on for that un-related biased attitude, and usually the straight forward truth! Building a good friendship is a lot like building a flight of stairs, you have to start from the ground, and work your way up. And not only then but when you think you are finished, you have to walk up those very stairs. It’s not easy, but in the long run it’s worth it.

I have been very lucky to have gained a wonderful group of friend since I came back to Jackson, and I owe that to my participation in the Black Rose Theatre!!! I <3 You Guys!!!!

(This photo shows Adam and Amanda working hard on the wonderful staircase. )