Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a man that has never been duplicated, and most likely no other man shall ever live up to. God gave this man the courage and insight to see what our Country could truly be. He had a heart that loved everyone no matter what that person looked like or how that person believed. At the time he walked the streets sharing his wisdom, our Country was controlled by hate. People truly thought they were superior to others based on the color of their skin. People believed they had the right to tell someone where to sit or what water fountain they could drink from. And people believed if a black man looked them in the eyes, they were asking to be beat. It's amazing what this Nation once was. It's also heart breaking to know that this Nation was capable of being so ugly. The beauty in this horrible part of our history, is how far we have come. That it's possible for one person to change it all. For one person to Have A Dream, and for us to see that Dream come true. In my 31 years on this Earth, I had been witnessing this Dream evolve from words off the lips of this wonderful man, into a Reality. It's not just about Obama being elected. This country has been slowly changing and improving. Sure there is still racism, and sure there is a tension that still remains for some. But for the most part, it's a better world. Come tomorrow, January 20, 2009, we are all going to witness history. Something our great-great-great grandchildren will be reading about in history books, and not realizing the importance of that day. Take the time to soak it all in, so you can tell the story of how you witnessed a Dream coming true. Even if you didn't vote for Obama, see the beauty in knowing that we have finally become ONE NATION UNDER GOD, instead of just words in our Pledge of Alligeance. And to Mr. King, thank you so much for the gift you gave us. You sacraficed it all so this Nation could thrive and work in unity. God Bless you...
One of the Greatest Men of all time. Without him, this country would have never grown into the world we know now. Rest In Peace Mr. King, and may you be smiling down from heaven on January 20, 2009, a day you made possible.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Home For The Holidays
This will be one of those rambling blogs, I know. I have many thoughts so at times I may or may not make much sense.
The holidays has always been my favorite time of year. It always seemed magical to me. Growing up my family was very poor. We lived off about $8000 a year, and we were a family of six. But some how, some way, my Mom made Christmas happen every year. There were always lots of presents for us. Granted some were used but they were always appreciated and loved just the same. I almost always believed in Santa for this very reason, how else could those presents get there I would wonder? But it was because they found the way to make it happen, they were the magic, not Santa. I can remember the story Mom tells of Santa really coming. There was a year, I was around 6 I guess, my baby sister was very sick due to the liver disease she was born with. She was in and out of hospitals from the time she was born that prior July. We were very poor at this time and Christmas wasn't going to happen. One day Mom gets the mail and in there was a card. She opened it and inside was a cashiers check for $200. And it was signed Santa Claus. That money bought us food and presents that year. We still to this day do not know who sent that check, but it made our familys' rough year end on a happy note.
It's those little moments in life that bring me such joy still to this day. And even in our rough time this year, of myself being unemployed and not being able to buy lots of great gifts for everyone this year I am at peace. Whatever gift we manage to give will be given with the greatest of love. Our boys will get plenty of gifts from the family and will be happy. And even tho a parent wants to be the one to give them the great gifts, sometimes we must find joy in them getting them from someone else. This year I am blessed with my family and that is all that truly matters. I have two wonderful boys and a man that loves me as I love him. We have wonderful parents and a great number of extended family, we are loved. Who could ask for more.
Christmas also makes me think of my Grandma, especially when I am with Chris's grandparents. It makes me wonder what it would be like to have her here. For her to have met my two boys and had the experience of being a Great-Grandma. We spent every holiday with her. She would make her oyster dressing and a pan of stuffing for us.. For presents she would give us each $5-$10 a piece. To which I turned around and used it to buy my parents something every year. She didn't have much, but she always gave what she could. Whenever I saw her she would get her change purse out and give me a quarter or fifty cents, and I thought I was rich. I lost Mamaw when I was only 16. She was my best friend, I wanted to spend every moment I was off school with her. And even tho it's been almost 15 years it still hurts like it was yesterday. And it's the special times of the year that I think of her most and still mourn her not being here. I wonder what she would say to me? Is she proud of me? I travel back in time each Christmas and remember how happy a childhood I had. I remember the smell of Mamaw's house from the food cooking. I can still smell her perfume "intimate", her hairspray "white rain", and the sound of the old screen door slamming behind us as we walked in. Unfortunately, I cannot recall the sound of her voice, instead it's the sound of her cough I hear. She coughed so much with the lung disease.
And every year when I go home for the holidays, I relish those moments. Because I never know when it may be my last holiday with a member of my family. I have ill parents and it scares me I will lose them too soon, like my Mom lost her Mom. I look at Mom and can only imagine how bad it hurt to have lost her mother. And I dread the day I feel that pain. So for now I take in each moment I get to spend with my parents. I make it home for the holidays no matter what. They gave me a great life, we may have not been rich but we had plenty of love. Home for the Holidays is the only place I want to be.
The holidays has always been my favorite time of year. It always seemed magical to me. Growing up my family was very poor. We lived off about $8000 a year, and we were a family of six. But some how, some way, my Mom made Christmas happen every year. There were always lots of presents for us. Granted some were used but they were always appreciated and loved just the same. I almost always believed in Santa for this very reason, how else could those presents get there I would wonder? But it was because they found the way to make it happen, they were the magic, not Santa. I can remember the story Mom tells of Santa really coming. There was a year, I was around 6 I guess, my baby sister was very sick due to the liver disease she was born with. She was in and out of hospitals from the time she was born that prior July. We were very poor at this time and Christmas wasn't going to happen. One day Mom gets the mail and in there was a card. She opened it and inside was a cashiers check for $200. And it was signed Santa Claus. That money bought us food and presents that year. We still to this day do not know who sent that check, but it made our familys' rough year end on a happy note.
It's those little moments in life that bring me such joy still to this day. And even in our rough time this year, of myself being unemployed and not being able to buy lots of great gifts for everyone this year I am at peace. Whatever gift we manage to give will be given with the greatest of love. Our boys will get plenty of gifts from the family and will be happy. And even tho a parent wants to be the one to give them the great gifts, sometimes we must find joy in them getting them from someone else. This year I am blessed with my family and that is all that truly matters. I have two wonderful boys and a man that loves me as I love him. We have wonderful parents and a great number of extended family, we are loved. Who could ask for more.
Christmas also makes me think of my Grandma, especially when I am with Chris's grandparents. It makes me wonder what it would be like to have her here. For her to have met my two boys and had the experience of being a Great-Grandma. We spent every holiday with her. She would make her oyster dressing and a pan of stuffing for us.. For presents she would give us each $5-$10 a piece. To which I turned around and used it to buy my parents something every year. She didn't have much, but she always gave what she could. Whenever I saw her she would get her change purse out and give me a quarter or fifty cents, and I thought I was rich. I lost Mamaw when I was only 16. She was my best friend, I wanted to spend every moment I was off school with her. And even tho it's been almost 15 years it still hurts like it was yesterday. And it's the special times of the year that I think of her most and still mourn her not being here. I wonder what she would say to me? Is she proud of me? I travel back in time each Christmas and remember how happy a childhood I had. I remember the smell of Mamaw's house from the food cooking. I can still smell her perfume "intimate", her hairspray "white rain", and the sound of the old screen door slamming behind us as we walked in. Unfortunately, I cannot recall the sound of her voice, instead it's the sound of her cough I hear. She coughed so much with the lung disease.
And every year when I go home for the holidays, I relish those moments. Because I never know when it may be my last holiday with a member of my family. I have ill parents and it scares me I will lose them too soon, like my Mom lost her Mom. I look at Mom and can only imagine how bad it hurt to have lost her mother. And I dread the day I feel that pain. So for now I take in each moment I get to spend with my parents. I make it home for the holidays no matter what. They gave me a great life, we may have not been rich but we had plenty of love. Home for the Holidays is the only place I want to be.
Monday, December 15, 2008
A Mommy and Her Son
I wrote this poem years ago for my best friend, her little boy passed away in 99. In Memory Of Charles Brody Kouns.
I get up each morning telling myself to breath.
And that you didn't want to leave me.
I go to your crib hoping you are there.
And all I find is the memories we shared.
I hold your stuffed toys and smell your clothes.
When all I really want is to have you to hold.
Time is to heal all wounds they say.
But I can't imagine this crushing feeling ever going away.
I pray to God that he keeps you close to him.
And that you will remember me when we meet again.
I love you son with all my heart and soul.
And when I die, in my arms you will go.
To be together for always and eternity.
A mommy and her son, that's the way it should be.
By: Missy Newland
Sunday, December 14, 2008
The Guide
I feel a warm breeze kissing my face and combing my hair.
I feel like I'm not alone there.
It's like there's a hand holding me up from the ground.
There's no one there, no voices no sound.
I search real hard for the meaning of life.
I look to find the line between wrong and right.
Can't someone show me the way?
Then I decide to go to my knees and pray.
Looking up to see the answers in the stars.
But there is nothing for miles afar.
I then begin to cry a river of tears.
But then a roaring voice speaks, child don't fear.
For that was me there kissing your face.
And it was me holding you in a loving embrace.
For you are not lost.
But on the road of life everyone must cross.
Follow me in your heart.
Because from you I will never part.
For I am your Father, your friend.
And your guide to the very end.
By: Missy Newland
I feel like I'm not alone there.
It's like there's a hand holding me up from the ground.
There's no one there, no voices no sound.
I search real hard for the meaning of life.
I look to find the line between wrong and right.
Can't someone show me the way?
Then I decide to go to my knees and pray.
Looking up to see the answers in the stars.
But there is nothing for miles afar.
I then begin to cry a river of tears.
But then a roaring voice speaks, child don't fear.
For that was me there kissing your face.
And it was me holding you in a loving embrace.
For you are not lost.
But on the road of life everyone must cross.
Follow me in your heart.
Because from you I will never part.
For I am your Father, your friend.
And your guide to the very end.
By: Missy Newland
A Grandmother's Love
Dedicated To My Mamaw, Mom, and Denise
A Grandmother has so many roles.
Mother and babysitter,the list grows and grows.
Grandmothers go by so many names.
Grandma,Mamaw,and Nana all mean the same.
A Grandmother supports without any doubt.
Their understanding is hard to go without.
Their kisses erase all that causes pain.
The hugs let us know they'll be there again.
A Grandmother's heart is a gift from above.
There is nothing that can compare to a Grandmother's love.
By: Missy Newland
Friday, December 12, 2008
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