Busiest Weekend in AWhile

I had a very busy, very pleasant weekend. It is interesting how long it takes to get involved in activities here that I do not create myself. But this is a small community and no matter how much I feel at home, I'm still a newbie to them.

Saturday, I was invited to Ann Mattison's 75th birthday party. Ann is my late godmother's daughter. She has been ill, but her kids threw this wonderful celebration for her at the Old Country Store.

I saw Ms. Helen Bledsoe there, my 4th grade teacher. She is still thin and was elegantly and impeccable dressed as she always was then. She really looked great. Ms. Anita (Ballard) Spicer also spoke to me and mentioned that she remembered Lillie well. She taught 6th grade at Lincoln Elementary when I was there, though I was never in her class. Ms. Spicer was also a thin, fashionably dressed woman, but of a different type than Ms. Bledsoe.

Charles Mattison, Jr. (Eric) was there from Connecticut by way of New York. He is a very personable young man and very interesting to talk to. Ansanette, the youngest sister, planned the whole thing, I think, being the closest sibling, geographically, to Ann. Sarita, the eldest and closest to me in age was there, also, as well as all the grands (except for Eric's kids).

I went straight from there to see Jerica, my late brother Russell's stepgranddaughter compete in the Miss Bronze pageant. Miss Bronze is a Jackson rite of passage for many attractive, accomplished young black women in town. Of course, not much has changed in that it is usually won by the contestant whose parents are the most well off financially or the girl who has the most Caucausoid hair and features or both. That much has not changed.

Jerica was selected 3rd runner up. She sang a beautiful song called, "Open My Heart". She deserved at least 1st runner up based on her superior style, presence, beauty, and talent. Only one young woman preceded her in that category, and she was selected 1st runner up. She performed an original monlogue, "Growing Up Young Gifted & Black". Excellent! The winner was (Surprise!) a very light skinned young woman with long straight hair and too much make-up. I don't even rember what talent she performed.

The weekend wound up with a Frankie Beverly & Maze concert. My young co-worker, Tracie, invited me to accompany her, her mother, Teresa and 2 of my old classmates, Marlene Douglass and Glenda Sheffield. Of course, Glenda has a married name now, but I don't remember what it is. Another classmate, Eugene Nichols was also there, and he spent a lot of time with us. He mentioned that his sister, Barbara Nichols was in town from FL and had been here for about a month.

In addition, I received calls from several women I know, both new friends and old. Brenda made a concilliatory effort after our having not communicated for several months. She sent a thoughtful card. I have not replied yet, as I am not sure yet just what to say. I got a call from a very sexy, but weird woman I met who lives in NJ. She is a lot of fun, though, and keeps me laughing.

Gretta called and emailed this week just to keep in touch and send me her new address. We chatted. Things seem to be well with her. I am making plans to meet a wonderful woman I met, Grace, from Dallas when I go there over the Easter weekend. We are getting together for lunch, and she will show me around town if things go well.

All in all, things are looking up. We shall see. But I am very grateful for the blessings I have been given and for those I am able to give to others.