Wedded Bliss

August 1, 2020 was Amanda and Stephens big day... part two you might say. I officiated the legal wedding back in April when COVID held off everything. I wasn’t supposed to be the officiant but theirs was no longer available with the postponement due to the pandemic I was able to step into the role.  She did the same for me when Doan and I were married.  

Though scaled back quite a bit; the wedding was beautiful.  It was such an honor to be there for them as they make this commitment to one another.  

Colors of Love

Love comes in all forms and colors.  It is easy for some to tell you that you are wrong… as long as you are in it for the right reasons, how can you be?

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.

Shining Star

Every family has a shining star, someone that stands out and works to keep the family together.   My family has been lucky to have been blessed with more than one of these stars, and My Great-Aunt Frances Anderson was one of these that shown as bright as the stars in all the sky.   She was responsible for so many wonderful gatherings that united immediate and extended family.   She was there with my grandmother and me during a dark period in both of our lives, and accepted me no matter who I was. On more than one occasion taught me that people will love me no matter what… or how different I am.   My family lost this wonderful person last night, but we each gained another guardian angel. While our hearts grieve for her no longer being here with us, for the games of Phase 10 that will never occur… or the songs sung. We know that she will be in our hearts, in the smiles that we see, and in the love we have for one another.   Though she will be missed, we will always feel the love she gave us and we will always love her.

Frances Anderson

1932-2011

Brandon

Frances Eley Anderson, 79, died Monday, May 16, 2011 at Crossgates River Oaks Hospital. Funeral services are 2:00pm Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at Bethel Baptist Church in Brandon with interment in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends 12:00-2:00pm Wednesday at the church.

Mrs. Anderson was an active member of Bethel Baptist Church and the Red Hatters of Pearl, as well as a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary.

Survivors include her husband of 60 years, J.W. "Andy" Anderson, Jr.; son, Dale Anderson (Libby); grandchildren, Jennifer Layton O'Neal (David) and Walter Dale Anderson, Jr.; great-grandson, Thomas Maguire; brother, Henry Hawthorne; and sisters, Louise Wixson, Sarah Haskins, Annette Creel, Betty Dulworth, Clara Reid and Margaret Hawthorne. (from: clarionleger.com obits)

Journey

 As I look at life so dear,

I know the journey is clear.

For the journey I’m on is like no other,

so I know I must go further.

Do not weep for me my loved ones true,

for I will always be with you.

Although you could not go with me,

now my heart is filled with glee.

But in your hearts I will dwell,

and that will do you well.

And I will see you from above,

not unlike a passing dove.

I hope to see you smile,

as you go another mile.

But to you it may seem odd,

that I am now with my God. 

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!

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!

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.