A Few Things I Miss

What a world we live in! We just keep evolving and growing and trying new, bold things and I'm not always sure that progress is indeed progress. From the way we dress, to the way we work, to the way live...we think we've got it made, but do we really?

I was off work last Monday in observance of Martin Luther King day, I turned to the History Channel and was intrigued by the MLK coverage. I wanted my nieces and nephews to sit down and watch with me in hope that they would learn something about him and understand why they were on a one day vacation. What struck me as interesting was that they were talking about these poor--I mean the poorest of poor--black southern people and these people were dressed to the nines. Men in suits and hats, women in hats and heels and pearls clutching a 'pocketbook.' I miss the time when people took pride in their appearance. What would they say about what we wear and call progress today? Half naked women with a slit up to there, boys in loose jeans with their butts hanging out--is THAT progress? Hardly. Even the people once considered the lowest class wouldn't be caught dead in the garbs we find acceptable today. And I'll say this too, unless you've been in the hen house--there is no need for anyone to have a feather in their hair. Seriously?

I miss the time when daddies worked and mommas stayed home and raised the babies.

I miss the time where children were raised to say, ''Yes ma'am" and "No ma'am." That's always a sign of a good raisin'.

I miss the time of wooden dentures (just kidding about that). Lighten up.

I do not miss jelly shoes. Or pantyhose in plastic eggs which consequently I would put under my shirt and pretend they were boobs...the eggs, not the pantyhose; one was always bigger than the other.

I miss the time when kids were happy playing with eggs that pantyhose came in.

I miss parents who, when their daughter wanted fake fingernails as a child told her, 'just pretend' and that child wore scotch tape on her nails. No fake nails for kids, please.

I miss the time where people visited. How long has it been since you dropped by a friends house? How long has it been since you've seen your cousins? Trust me when I say this--a true friend or loving family member can visit anytime unannounced. Get out and visit...time is swiftly passing. You'll never regret it.

I miss the time when tonka trucks, little play tractors, baby dolls, board games and crayons were THE things to play with. Sadly they've been replaced with DS games, Wii, Playstations and our imaginations are dull. Kids are smarter, but in a different way.

I miss the time when men, were men. No holes in their ears, no eyeliner, no fingernail polish.

Progress is neither swift nor easy, but is inevitable. I just want everyone to slow down, embrace the moment and not worry so much about tomorrow for it may never come.

The New Year is Here...Let's Catch Up

Having just read a delightful blog entry by my friend Tracy, I decided that maybe I should re-enter the blogging world; if for nothing else a creative writing release. I do wonder, who reads this anyway? And, who cares?

I haven't blogged since August and since then, life as I know it has forever been changed. In September, my dad's mom (MaMa Hart) fell down her basement steps and broke her shoulder. She went to the nursing home for rehab and was doing very well. She was content and really seemed to enjoy the company that the nursing brought. On October the 29th I was standing in the clerk's office getting ready to vote absentee when my mom rushed in and said that my dad called and MaMa Hart passed away. I was sad for me, but I was so sad for my dad. It doesn't matter how old you are--your momma, is your momma and you will always love her and always need her. We buried her in her red suit--just like she wanted--and I must say, she looked beautiful. She always loved jewelry and makeup and clothes; I'd like to think that I got that from her.



Ten short days after my MaMa passed away, came the biggest shock of my life. My dad passed away. I don't care how old you are--your daddy, is your daddy and you will always love him and need him. There really are no words that can describe the gamut of feelings I've felt since that day, so I won't even attempt it. While I know that he's at peace and the cancer that plagued his body is no more, it doesn't fill the void of knowing that my dad will never walk me down the isle; my dad will never hold my children; my dad isn't here. Oh sure, in spirit he's here...he's everywhere. Someone once told me that the veil between heaven and earth is so thin--that why couldn't he be here? Of course he can. So, in honor of my dad--we continue to live...we continue to love...and we continue to press on knowing that one day, we shall inherit what he already has.

Anyway, in the famous words of Annelle from my favorite movie, "Steel Magnolias"..."there are still good times to be had." In the midst of sadness, this is so true. Whether we like it or not, life does go on. We can either live with the changes or stay marred down in self pity. I choose to live and to love with every fiber of my being...and that's a loooooot of fiber!!