Prejudice is not short-lived!

The verdict came in as predicted last night.   Mr. Zimmerman, white guy and neighborhood watch person, shot and killed a black 16 year old, Trayvon Martin, clad in a hoodie, as he was walking back to his home in the neighborhood.   A jury of six women found Zimmerman "not guilty".  Each side had their version of what happened that night.   What part did innate prejudice have on one side or both sides?   What part will it continue to have as the press continues to shine light on the issues?

There are no simple answers in my mind.   Am I prejudice?   Can't deny it but mostly out of ignorance and fear.   If I walk down the street at dusk and a bunch of "thugs" walk toward me, I don't see color or lack of it.  I see "thugs" who might grab my purse or my keys and I see no protection for me to latch onto.  What would I do if I had a gun?   I don't know because I am not a gun owner and I am prejudiced against laws that allow the less-than-good guys to carry them.  I am against all concealed carrys and that contributed to the death of this 16 year old.

Predudice requires constant examination of one's soul!   If this verdict helps even one person accomplish this, it will be useful.   I understand the pain of the parents.   I understand the fear of this 29 year old who was sort of a vigilante for justice although he never explained his reasons on the stand for us to judge for ourselves.  And I understand prejudice.   I am constantly there fighting it in myself.

Putting the picture of a life together

I didn't even know the name Dr Trevin Mayabb two months ago and I haven't met him yet! But I'm digging into his life because he is receiving the Dr Jim Cooper Scholarship from Missouri delta and I like to be a part of the lives of all of the scholarship recipients which bear our name:  1 has Daddy's name, 3 have my name and now two have Jim's!

Trevin Mayabb is married to Nichole Mayabb who is also md.  They were married in 2007. They both attended Un of Mo med school and are doing residencies in Temple, Texas!  He is son of cal and Paulette Parr of Sikeston and late Gary Mayabb of east prairie!  Nichole is from Jackson.

Little pieces of life come fitting together!

Ford and Sons

Last night I went to dinner with Jerry and Margaret Ford at Port cape to talk music at birthday party!  We had a good time laughing as always!

Our families are connected besides Ford and Sons funeral home which I've already set up!  I worked with Don and Betty worked with Jerry!   So he's kind of family!  

That's what I like about living here so long!  It all becomes family!

History revisited!

I am a history major!  On the Board of Kellerman foundation where the Missouri State Flag was made!  I went to Board meeting last night!  Pictured are:  bill Hart of State Historical Society , Chris Kinder who is studying an endangered site in Bloomfield and dr Mary Ann Kellerman!

History is important to the soul!  I love to think about preservation!  It's the reason I write this blog!  I preserve a part of myself for posterity!

So I press on toward an indefinable mark!

Harriett Goodin Small, friend for life

I don't ever remember when Harriett was not my best friend --long before we used initials to BFF.   We would go to show every Saturday --rain or shine --and then go to Saliba's' for a milk shake or coke or we would find somone with wheels and go to Johnie's Drive In.   She fought every battle for me and she was scared of no one!  If someone went after me, I would have Harriett sic 'em.  And she would.  And still will!

Last night I called her and we picked up where we left off the last time.  She is the only person in the world, besides my children, who I know who will always be there for me.  I don't have to wonder if she will sell me out;  it will never happen!   The difference is that she still is in sic' em mode if provoked.  I tell her things that have happened in my recent life and her retort is,  "I don't trust him/her.   He has hurt you before!  You can't go thru that again! "  And her sic'em antenna comes on strong.   And I laugh and remember!

Best friends are hard to come by!  I wouldn't take anything for Harriett Goodin.   Okay, so she thought that Rex Allen, cowboy star, was more handsome than Charles Starrett "The Durango Kid"!  He wasn't but she will never admit that....even now!     Oh yeah, did I say she was unshakeable in her loyalty!  If I were you, I wouldn't test her!  You will draw blood or a stub.   She is still lethally dangerous if provoked!

Reached the end of my stack of things to do today!

And it was great!    Heather is coming to work at 5:00 and nothing makes me scurry than the need to get organized so that I can get the most work out of someone else. So I have worked all day and I feel good aot the stack.   This birthday party makes me happy!

I don't know what new project I will take on but I will take on something.   I can't believe I will be 75 years old.

Elephants fighting!

There is an old Kenyan proverb which says, "When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers."  I heard that today for the first time! I have not been able to get it out of my mind since!  It is earth-shattering in its impact!   So what does it say to me!

When fights erupt, things and people who are in its proximity start to deteriorate that have absolutely nothing to do with the fight.  Innocent people and things suffer as a consequence.  And the fighting continues oblivious to the fact that the innocent are the harmed!

So I must ask myself,  Am I the elephant fighting other elephants or do I see that the grass is suffering from a drought of hate that is accomplishing nothing in the end for anyone!  I am sorry for any part I have played in this elephant fight!   The grass does not look greener for any of the elephants involved!     It is way past time to plant more grass seed and irrigate the barren ground with forgiveness!    This elephant regrets lashing at the other elephants and, more than that, I hate the barrenness of the ground that has been left behind in the aftermath of the fight!