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| WOLC Choir about 2001. I was on the front row end with white shoes. |
Family Connections: Gathering The Generations
Showing posts with label Susan Blakley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Susan Blakley. Show all posts
Thursday, December 2, 2021
Twenty Years Ago: The Choir Ended
Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Merry Christmas!
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| S.A. Blakley by the Word of Life Church Christmas Tree 2008 |
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| At Word of Life Church |
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| Foyer at W.O.L.C in 2008 |
Merry Christmas!
Friday, November 23, 2018
Journey Of A Lifetime: Israel November Of 1998
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| The ladies posing for a photo on a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. |
Monday, July 31, 2017
Lupus Issue: Since 2001
This blog was written 10 Years Ago
Thanks for reading
God bless you.
S.A. Blakley
Notes on Tuesday, 31 July 2007
Lupus Issue This blog is the continuation from my Biopsy Issues on the 24th of 2007...
Seven days had past.
It was Tuesday the 31st of July 2001. I received a phone call from the kidney doctor's nurse. She said that the doctor wanted to see me on August 1, 2001. Many things went through my thoughts that day. What if ? But the peace of God was with me.
That day came. It was one of the worst days of my life. I received the bad report of having Acute Lupus Nephritis IV (SLE). Some of you may be thinking, What is Lupus? Lupus is one of many disorder of the immune system know as autoimmune disease. There are different types and stages of Lupus. The Lupus I had was almost full. It was serious. (Systemic Lupus Erythematous.)
The kidney doctor explain to me that Lupus is like the opposite of aids. My explanation...it's a civil war going on inside a person's body. What's suppose to be on the good side in protecting the body turn against and fights parts of the body that it's designed to protect.
When I heard that report that I had Lupus, I could not cry. I believe that the Spirit of the Lord had to have been with me. The doctor explain the procedure of what I would have to go through. I could lose all my hair and it would grow back. I could not respond to what I was hearing. I was not in shock.
Back to my testimony...I had to make a decision...I needed to be hospitalized for two days. I had to start chemotherapy for 6 months. The kidney doctor set up all what was necessary for what I needed. I agreed to check in the hospital that night.
First, I had to take care of some business before checking into the hospital. As I was packaging my suit case, I had thoughts of What if? I did not know how I was going to pay for the hospital bills so forth. I was worried. Then a thought came to me and said. "Remember, I paid the price for your healing". This voice brought comfort to my soul.
There was some point after this time, I did cry. I got the comfort of the Holy Spirit that every thing was going to be alright. What was on my mind next... to go to Wal Mart. I needed to go shopping so that my brothers would have some food in the house while I was away.
My brother and I went shopping. When we got there I was headed to see a person who worked there. He was a Word of Lifer. We sung in the choir together. I can remember the expression on his face when I saw him. He was on the phone and was looking at me. I motioned to him as though I told him to come here.
When I spoke to him. I told him what was going on. I wanted him to tell Pastor Eric, Pastor Brian and Peri that I was going to be in the hospital for a few days and that I had Lupus. This friends said that he would tell them. I went about to do my shopping. I had to walk slow. I was in a lot of pain. I had trouble breathing if I walked fast.
After we got all my shopping, we went home to put up the food. Then I was finishing getting all what I plan to take to the hospital. My two sisters took me there. I wanted to check as late as possible. It was about the 9 PM hour. I went through all the procedures that was needed...
On my first night there, one of my sisters stayed with me. This night in the hospital started off unusual. Not too long after I go there, I was hungry and wanted a sandwich. As I was waiting, I started to itch. I though that I was allergic to something. The nurse gave me some medicine through the IV that was in my arm.
The nurse said that I should not have had any reaction to what she gave me. I was itching up a storm. So the nurse gave me something to stop the itching. Yeah, it did and it also made me very very sleepy. My sisters told me that I was saying some silly things. I don't recall saying too much. I was so sleepy. All I recall waking up the next morning.
The next day, I was to take my first chemo. Every thing was set to go for my treatment. The chemo lasted from about 3 to 4 hours. The largest dose was first chemo. Then things begin to change during that day. I can not recall when I notice a different in my condition. More blood work was done.
The doctor said that I was responding very well to the chemo. I was not having any side effects. Thursday went very good. Then came the third day. I wake up about 6 AM high in the spirit on that Friday, August the 3rd of 2001.
That morning I saw the nurse there, I told him that I had a lot of energy. He said what I was taking I could have ran around the hospital building a couple of times. I had some powerful medicine injected into me. I was so high with full of energy.
The doctor came and saw how I was doing. I ask him questions. He notice a change in me as well. I talk a lot more. The doctor signed me out and through all the paper work, it was time for me to go. It was about the 4 PM hour.
As one of my brothers was wheeling me out, I saw Pastor Eric on the way out of the emergency room doors. I told my brother to hurry up, I wanted to talk that man. We caught up with Pastor E. I told him that I will see him tonight in church. Then I got out of the wheel chair and into my sister's van.
It was Friday, I had to get my medicine and get myself ready for church by 6:30 PM. And I did. I was so happy to go to church that day. I had ask the kidney doctor could I go to church. He said yes, as long I would keep a distant from people with colds, babies and so forth sickness.
Yeah, I had a lot of energy. I seem to had a clearer thinking pattern too. I was seeing much better. Things appeared much brighter and the colors were beautiful. This chemo seem to have brought life back into me. A friend told me it sounded like I had a transfusion of life that came from God into my being.
Through the months that followed I made more improvements. In about a month's time I had lost about 30 pounds. It was mostly fluid build up. I lost more weight because of the chemo too. I was shrinking. I was at the point to where I needed to gain some weight.
I cannot recall how much medication I was taking at that time. It was too much for me. January 12, 2002 was the sixth month of chemotherapy. I was glad that it was. I kept believing that what I had went through was working. I believe that I was healed.
Through out the 6 months of chemo, I prayed and sought God earnestly. I surrounded myself in a faith atmosphere. I read and listened to the whole Book of Psalm. I confessed healing scriptures. But most important I praised and worshipped God.
On February 4, 2002, I had my follow up visit to see the kidney doctor. He talk about the chemo treatments and the results. I had been seeing the doctor once a month. I had to take blood work a week before every treatment to check my white blood cell count. I could not have a cold or fever when I took the chemo.
But on the 4th of February 2002, the doctor looked at the test results. He said Do I claim victory over Lupus? I said YEAH! I had all joy about the test results. I had improved a lot over the months.
The strangest thing happened to me after I claimed victory over Lupus. The days that followed, I caught the flu. I had to miss Friday Night church. It was Faith Life Weekend. Yeah, I was depressed and VERY MAD too. But I made it to the Sunday Night Gathering.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I want to sum this all up... and than take you back to the year 2003. First I had no pain not to far after my first chemo in August of 2001. I became pain free within days but the swelling took a while and was gone with in two months.
I have not been on any medication for Lupus since September / November of 2004. I have been doing good. I take 2 vitamin pills and an aspirin a day. As for my medical bills. I made arrangement to pay off all my hospital bills and so forth. I paid my last bill off in 2005.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I will go back to the year 2003.. During the summertime something began to happen to me again but in a new way. I had pain but I did not know what was causing it. Yeah, I started to sleep back in my recliner in July and August. But by October - December of 2003 the pain grew worst.
In January of 2004, I had a kidney doctor's appointment. I told him about what was going on. He subscribed me some pain pills. They seem to have helped out but up to a point. I had been noticing that my left foot was turning black again. In February, I was concern about it and call the kidney doctor's nurse.
On February 9th of 2004, I called the nurse, I told her about my foot. She thought that I may have had a blood clot. She told me to go to the emergency room. So, I had my sister in law take me there.
The ER visit lasted about 5 hours. They ran test, checked my heart, lungs and so forth. The test results was that the Lupus had reoccurred. At first the doctor wanted to kept me over night. My first response was. "I did not bring my Bible." I did not have to stay in the hospital over night. I had to make an appointment to see the kidney doctor for follow up.
I had the follow up with the doctor about a month later. He did not want me to take the kidney biopsy until the was the right time. When ever that meant. My family was concern that the doctor took so long in ordering the kidney biopsy.
The day came a day before my birthday, April 7, 2004. I went through the procedure again with a different doctor. He was explaining to me that I was an expert at this. I said I don't want to be. I had a harder time this time around with this kidney biopsy. I was very mad that the Lupus came back. I did not want to tell people about it.
In February of 2004, not to far after I claimed the victory over Lupus, I had something in my spirit trying to give me fear. The thought of Lupus was going to return. That thought had been there but I spoke back to it. By His stripes I am healed. At times the thought of Lupus comes to my thinking. Even doctors speak that to me that it will return.
Back to my biopsy. I had to wait 7 days for the results of the test. It came on April 13, 2004. Yes The bad report of Lupus. I made arrangement to have 6 more chemotherapy treatments....On the morning of April 14, 2004, I woke up in my recliner. I was talking with God.
I spoke to God with tear in my eyes saying "I did not know how much more I can take of this". I was speaking of the pain that I was in . In the quiet of the still moments of that morning, I heard a voice tell me to stop breathing.
And so I did. As I held my breathe, I felt something. What was it? there was NO Pain. For that moment of holding my breathe I had comfort. The peace of God had surrounded me. I believe that God was with me and that I needed to hang on.
My two sisters were with me again to take me to the hospital. I did not use the wheel chair to where I had to go....I walked very slowly into the hospital in pain and out of breath. What more could happen this time? I don't what to share that ordeal... I will say that I did have Chemo that day. I did make it home. Thank You Jesus.
A normal treatment time including check in and check out would last around 4 1/2- 6 1/2 hours each in 2004. Some of the times the treatment times were not normal. The last chemo that I have had was in Sept of 2004. I have been off all mediations for Lupus since September /November of 2004. I thank God for bringing me through.
During the 2nd round of chemo for 6 months, I did experience some side effects. In June of 2004, I had dry eyes and redness because of the medication that I was on. It appeared as though I had been crying. My eyes were so blood shot red.
In September of 2004: Test Results: Positive for Lupus.... with no symptoms of Lupus. I came to this conclusion. A positive negative on Lupus does not mean that I have Lupus. It's been about 3 years since my last chemo. Still I am on no medication for Lupus. I still have a positive test results for Lupus with no symptoms of Lupus.
I am living life the best way that I can. There are times when I need take it easy. I rest from time to time. I try to reduce my stress level and not to worry as much. I try to not to over do things. I try to keep alert to what attacks my body. I keep track of unexplained rashes or pains that come and won't leave. In all what had attacked my body has left...
I read up on Lupus for the knowledge reason. I try to eat right and stay out of the sun as much as possible. I was on the internet on day. I can across a website that had a wristband. The wristband had this words on it that I like ....LIFE WITHOUT LUPUS. I wear this orange wristband as a testimony and reminder that I'm living life without Lupus.
You can learn more about Lupus at www.lupus.org www.intotheloop.org
There are times in life when we don't know what to do when we receive that bad report. We need to remember that God is with us in all that we do. Lord, help us to remember that You are with us always. Amen!
I have had these words with me since May 8, 1998. I will leave you with these thoughts. "Whatever you hear, Remember, that I (God) will always be with you to help you and guide you through."
Thanks for reading
God bless you.
S.A. Blakley
Notes on Tuesday, 31 July 2007
Lupus Issue This blog is the continuation from my Biopsy Issues on the 24th of 2007...
Seven days had past.
It was Tuesday the 31st of July 2001. I received a phone call from the kidney doctor's nurse. She said that the doctor wanted to see me on August 1, 2001. Many things went through my thoughts that day. What if ? But the peace of God was with me.
That day came. It was one of the worst days of my life. I received the bad report of having Acute Lupus Nephritis IV (SLE). Some of you may be thinking, What is Lupus? Lupus is one of many disorder of the immune system know as autoimmune disease. There are different types and stages of Lupus. The Lupus I had was almost full. It was serious. (Systemic Lupus Erythematous.)
The kidney doctor explain to me that Lupus is like the opposite of aids. My explanation...it's a civil war going on inside a person's body. What's suppose to be on the good side in protecting the body turn against and fights parts of the body that it's designed to protect.
When I heard that report that I had Lupus, I could not cry. I believe that the Spirit of the Lord had to have been with me. The doctor explain the procedure of what I would have to go through. I could lose all my hair and it would grow back. I could not respond to what I was hearing. I was not in shock.
Back to my testimony...I had to make a decision...I needed to be hospitalized for two days. I had to start chemotherapy for 6 months. The kidney doctor set up all what was necessary for what I needed. I agreed to check in the hospital that night.
First, I had to take care of some business before checking into the hospital. As I was packaging my suit case, I had thoughts of What if? I did not know how I was going to pay for the hospital bills so forth. I was worried. Then a thought came to me and said. "Remember, I paid the price for your healing". This voice brought comfort to my soul.
There was some point after this time, I did cry. I got the comfort of the Holy Spirit that every thing was going to be alright. What was on my mind next... to go to Wal Mart. I needed to go shopping so that my brothers would have some food in the house while I was away.
My brother and I went shopping. When we got there I was headed to see a person who worked there. He was a Word of Lifer. We sung in the choir together. I can remember the expression on his face when I saw him. He was on the phone and was looking at me. I motioned to him as though I told him to come here.
When I spoke to him. I told him what was going on. I wanted him to tell Pastor Eric, Pastor Brian and Peri that I was going to be in the hospital for a few days and that I had Lupus. This friends said that he would tell them. I went about to do my shopping. I had to walk slow. I was in a lot of pain. I had trouble breathing if I walked fast.
After we got all my shopping, we went home to put up the food. Then I was finishing getting all what I plan to take to the hospital. My two sisters took me there. I wanted to check as late as possible. It was about the 9 PM hour. I went through all the procedures that was needed...
On my first night there, one of my sisters stayed with me. This night in the hospital started off unusual. Not too long after I go there, I was hungry and wanted a sandwich. As I was waiting, I started to itch. I though that I was allergic to something. The nurse gave me some medicine through the IV that was in my arm.
The nurse said that I should not have had any reaction to what she gave me. I was itching up a storm. So the nurse gave me something to stop the itching. Yeah, it did and it also made me very very sleepy. My sisters told me that I was saying some silly things. I don't recall saying too much. I was so sleepy. All I recall waking up the next morning.
The next day, I was to take my first chemo. Every thing was set to go for my treatment. The chemo lasted from about 3 to 4 hours. The largest dose was first chemo. Then things begin to change during that day. I can not recall when I notice a different in my condition. More blood work was done.
The doctor said that I was responding very well to the chemo. I was not having any side effects. Thursday went very good. Then came the third day. I wake up about 6 AM high in the spirit on that Friday, August the 3rd of 2001.
That morning I saw the nurse there, I told him that I had a lot of energy. He said what I was taking I could have ran around the hospital building a couple of times. I had some powerful medicine injected into me. I was so high with full of energy.
The doctor came and saw how I was doing. I ask him questions. He notice a change in me as well. I talk a lot more. The doctor signed me out and through all the paper work, it was time for me to go. It was about the 4 PM hour.
As one of my brothers was wheeling me out, I saw Pastor Eric on the way out of the emergency room doors. I told my brother to hurry up, I wanted to talk that man. We caught up with Pastor E. I told him that I will see him tonight in church. Then I got out of the wheel chair and into my sister's van.
It was Friday, I had to get my medicine and get myself ready for church by 6:30 PM. And I did. I was so happy to go to church that day. I had ask the kidney doctor could I go to church. He said yes, as long I would keep a distant from people with colds, babies and so forth sickness.
Yeah, I had a lot of energy. I seem to had a clearer thinking pattern too. I was seeing much better. Things appeared much brighter and the colors were beautiful. This chemo seem to have brought life back into me. A friend told me it sounded like I had a transfusion of life that came from God into my being.
Through the months that followed I made more improvements. In about a month's time I had lost about 30 pounds. It was mostly fluid build up. I lost more weight because of the chemo too. I was shrinking. I was at the point to where I needed to gain some weight.
I cannot recall how much medication I was taking at that time. It was too much for me. January 12, 2002 was the sixth month of chemotherapy. I was glad that it was. I kept believing that what I had went through was working. I believe that I was healed.
Through out the 6 months of chemo, I prayed and sought God earnestly. I surrounded myself in a faith atmosphere. I read and listened to the whole Book of Psalm. I confessed healing scriptures. But most important I praised and worshipped God.
On February 4, 2002, I had my follow up visit to see the kidney doctor. He talk about the chemo treatments and the results. I had been seeing the doctor once a month. I had to take blood work a week before every treatment to check my white blood cell count. I could not have a cold or fever when I took the chemo.
But on the 4th of February 2002, the doctor looked at the test results. He said Do I claim victory over Lupus? I said YEAH! I had all joy about the test results. I had improved a lot over the months.
The strangest thing happened to me after I claimed victory over Lupus. The days that followed, I caught the flu. I had to miss Friday Night church. It was Faith Life Weekend. Yeah, I was depressed and VERY MAD too. But I made it to the Sunday Night Gathering.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I want to sum this all up... and than take you back to the year 2003. First I had no pain not to far after my first chemo in August of 2001. I became pain free within days but the swelling took a while and was gone with in two months.
I have not been on any medication for Lupus since September / November of 2004. I have been doing good. I take 2 vitamin pills and an aspirin a day. As for my medical bills. I made arrangement to pay off all my hospital bills and so forth. I paid my last bill off in 2005.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I will go back to the year 2003.. During the summertime something began to happen to me again but in a new way. I had pain but I did not know what was causing it. Yeah, I started to sleep back in my recliner in July and August. But by October - December of 2003 the pain grew worst.
In January of 2004, I had a kidney doctor's appointment. I told him about what was going on. He subscribed me some pain pills. They seem to have helped out but up to a point. I had been noticing that my left foot was turning black again. In February, I was concern about it and call the kidney doctor's nurse.
On February 9th of 2004, I called the nurse, I told her about my foot. She thought that I may have had a blood clot. She told me to go to the emergency room. So, I had my sister in law take me there.
The ER visit lasted about 5 hours. They ran test, checked my heart, lungs and so forth. The test results was that the Lupus had reoccurred. At first the doctor wanted to kept me over night. My first response was. "I did not bring my Bible." I did not have to stay in the hospital over night. I had to make an appointment to see the kidney doctor for follow up.
I had the follow up with the doctor about a month later. He did not want me to take the kidney biopsy until the was the right time. When ever that meant. My family was concern that the doctor took so long in ordering the kidney biopsy.
The day came a day before my birthday, April 7, 2004. I went through the procedure again with a different doctor. He was explaining to me that I was an expert at this. I said I don't want to be. I had a harder time this time around with this kidney biopsy. I was very mad that the Lupus came back. I did not want to tell people about it.
In February of 2004, not to far after I claimed the victory over Lupus, I had something in my spirit trying to give me fear. The thought of Lupus was going to return. That thought had been there but I spoke back to it. By His stripes I am healed. At times the thought of Lupus comes to my thinking. Even doctors speak that to me that it will return.
Back to my biopsy. I had to wait 7 days for the results of the test. It came on April 13, 2004. Yes The bad report of Lupus. I made arrangement to have 6 more chemotherapy treatments....On the morning of April 14, 2004, I woke up in my recliner. I was talking with God.
I spoke to God with tear in my eyes saying "I did not know how much more I can take of this". I was speaking of the pain that I was in . In the quiet of the still moments of that morning, I heard a voice tell me to stop breathing.
And so I did. As I held my breathe, I felt something. What was it? there was NO Pain. For that moment of holding my breathe I had comfort. The peace of God had surrounded me. I believe that God was with me and that I needed to hang on.
My two sisters were with me again to take me to the hospital. I did not use the wheel chair to where I had to go....I walked very slowly into the hospital in pain and out of breath. What more could happen this time? I don't what to share that ordeal... I will say that I did have Chemo that day. I did make it home. Thank You Jesus.
A normal treatment time including check in and check out would last around 4 1/2- 6 1/2 hours each in 2004. Some of the times the treatment times were not normal. The last chemo that I have had was in Sept of 2004. I have been off all mediations for Lupus since September /November of 2004. I thank God for bringing me through.
During the 2nd round of chemo for 6 months, I did experience some side effects. In June of 2004, I had dry eyes and redness because of the medication that I was on. It appeared as though I had been crying. My eyes were so blood shot red.
In September of 2004: Test Results: Positive for Lupus.... with no symptoms of Lupus. I came to this conclusion. A positive negative on Lupus does not mean that I have Lupus. It's been about 3 years since my last chemo. Still I am on no medication for Lupus. I still have a positive test results for Lupus with no symptoms of Lupus.
I am living life the best way that I can. There are times when I need take it easy. I rest from time to time. I try to reduce my stress level and not to worry as much. I try to not to over do things. I try to keep alert to what attacks my body. I keep track of unexplained rashes or pains that come and won't leave. In all what had attacked my body has left...
I read up on Lupus for the knowledge reason. I try to eat right and stay out of the sun as much as possible. I was on the internet on day. I can across a website that had a wristband. The wristband had this words on it that I like ....LIFE WITHOUT LUPUS. I wear this orange wristband as a testimony and reminder that I'm living life without Lupus.
You can learn more about Lupus at www.lupus.org www.intotheloop.org
There are times in life when we don't know what to do when we receive that bad report. We need to remember that God is with us in all that we do. Lord, help us to remember that You are with us always. Amen!
I have had these words with me since May 8, 1998. I will leave you with these thoughts. "Whatever you hear, Remember, that I (God) will always be with you to help you and guide you through."
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Remembering Yankton October 31, 1981
I've been thinking about my journey to Yankton, South Dakota. I can't forget it. I've learned more about my family connections over the years.
It's been 34 years since I met my Great Auntie Mary "Lovie" (KINNEY) BLAKEY. She was my Grandpa John BLAKEY / BLAKLEY's sister in law. Great Auntie Mary was my only Great Auntie that I remember meeting in person. That was the only time we've met.
On Saturday, October 31, 1981, I met some other relatives in Yankton. Some of Mary's grandchildren, Mary Jane and her husband James LIGHTNER and Mary Jane's sister Doris and some of their children.
It was a long journey getting there. I was glad, I made it. It was on this day that discovered who my Great Grandpa was. I thought his name was John Blakey. But his name was Isaac Blakey. Mary Jane had a photo of our Great Grandpa Isaac with his wife Rachel. I was amazed to see that photo. I wished I took a picture of it. Below is a photo of my Great Grandpa Isaac.
I was fascinated by all the things Great Aunt Mary and cousin, Mary Jane had been sharing with me through our corresponds over the years. As I look back, I'm thankful that I kept the letters that Mary Jane wrote me. I've been re reading them. There are some things I forgot about.
I've been searching more of the clues that Mary Jane spoke of in her letters. At that time, I didn't know what cousin Mary was speaking about. But, as I'm coming across more information, there are some things that are making some sense.
I thank God for all that I've encountered on my journey quest to know more about my family connections. I have come across a lot of relatives in the process. I hope to connect with more. If not in person, by internet. That's how I have been finding family connections.
Thanks for reading.
S. A. Blakley
It's been 34 years since I met my Great Auntie Mary "Lovie" (KINNEY) BLAKEY. She was my Grandpa John BLAKEY / BLAKLEY's sister in law. Great Auntie Mary was my only Great Auntie that I remember meeting in person. That was the only time we've met.
On Saturday, October 31, 1981, I met some other relatives in Yankton. Some of Mary's grandchildren, Mary Jane and her husband James LIGHTNER and Mary Jane's sister Doris and some of their children.
It was a long journey getting there. I was glad, I made it. It was on this day that discovered who my Great Grandpa was. I thought his name was John Blakey. But his name was Isaac Blakey. Mary Jane had a photo of our Great Grandpa Isaac with his wife Rachel. I was amazed to see that photo. I wished I took a picture of it. Below is a photo of my Great Grandpa Isaac.
 |
| Private Isaac Blakey (1845- 1917) |
I was fascinated by all the things Great Aunt Mary and cousin, Mary Jane had been sharing with me through our corresponds over the years. As I look back, I'm thankful that I kept the letters that Mary Jane wrote me. I've been re reading them. There are some things I forgot about.
I've been searching more of the clues that Mary Jane spoke of in her letters. At that time, I didn't know what cousin Mary was speaking about. But, as I'm coming across more information, there are some things that are making some sense.
I thank God for all that I've encountered on my journey quest to know more about my family connections. I have come across a lot of relatives in the process. I hope to connect with more. If not in person, by internet. That's how I have been finding family connections.
Thanks for reading.
S. A. Blakley
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Encounters With My Race
This is a re post from my Zanga site 31 March 2008
While I was growing up, I imagine myself special. I grew up in a large family. By the time I was going to school, schools were desegregated. It was an experience to get to learn more about people.
Most of my classmates in my grade school had a different color than me. I was the only person of my skin color in my class from my first grade to the 6th. I can say that there were not many minorities in our whole grade school during my stay there.
As far back as I can remember, I recall getting a doll for Christmas. It was not my skin color. I liked the doll anyway. The sad thing about it, I had to give the doll back to the person that gave it to me. I never understood way.
Then some of my siblings where telling me some things that I did not understand. They had been through some of the issues like I had experienced. They clued me in on some things. What I learned in my up bringing influenced how I saw things.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflections: On Encounters With My Race.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In My Early School Years:
It was not until I got to the 2nd Grade at Mark Twain Elementary School when I made a discovery what others said about my skin color. I knew that I was different. But how different was I?
Some of us girls were in line waiting to go into our classroom. One of the girls said that they had a crush on Elvis Presley. Then that girl turn to me and said that I could not have a crush on Elvis because was not his color.
It was also in the 2nd Grade that we had to draw a picture of our mothers for Mother's Day. I was so excited. We get to COLOR. I loved to draw.
One day our teacher Mrs. May wanted our attention. She said to the others students (not including me) to take out a pink crayon. Mrs. May told me to take out the brown crayon. I did not know why. All I wanted to do was to COLOR.
In Our Neighborhood:
Then there was an issue that came up while some of us siblings were playing ball with some of our neighbor's kids. One day one of the neighbor's kid was going to go into his house. He told me that I was not allowed in.
This kid was explaining to me why. Their parents told them not to let blacks in to their homes especially black females. I could not go into their homes. So I did not.
In My Middle School Years:
Then as I made my way to Truman Middle School, I had some encounters. One day I was walking down the hallway. I saw someone who I knew from another class. He was with some one who said "there is a N ahead of us."
Yeah, I heard what that person said. I slow down a bit before I was about to open the door where I was going. The person who I knew told the other person-- he said "She is OK!"
I recall before going to High School, a guy called me asking me what color I was? I did not answer his question. What different should it have made if I would have answered the question?
In My High School Years:
I made my way to Central High School. Yes, the issue was there too. One day I was walking into the Freshman building. There were three or four guys sitting on the bench.
I was the only girl there as I made my way to the door. One of the guys said the N word. It was loud enough so I could hear.
As I heard the voice say the word, I tried around. All the guys were laughing with there heads down. All I did was shook my head and with about my way.
Then in my Senior Year, I was in the Senior building studying in the hallway. For some reason some one from above split to where it landed on my paper. I looked up and the person way gone.
In Life:
Yeah, through out my life even still this every day, my skin color is an issue with some. There are many of us who are taught by our parents about other races. Should a person's skin color matter? I don't think so.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On My Journey Of Transformation:
My Higher Calling
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Through the years, I have grown through the issues of being called names. Since I am discovering who I am in Christ, that is what matter the most. I was created in the image of God.
I came across the scriptures that ----Men looks at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart. That is the most important beauty of a person. It is the heart of the person that matters.
About Church:
What I learned in life it comes out of us. What I heard that there are black churches, whites churches and so on. I did know why we were taught this. But it happened.
I remember when I started going to church. I heard some tell me that I was going to a "white" church. Then when I joined the choir for a season, I was in a "white" choir. What is the labeling business about churches?
There are times in my life when I do label things. Perhaps it is human nature. But at times I question myself. Why do I do that? I have been growing from labeling.
About Racism:
I do experience racism. Some cases are more noticeable than others. While some are well hidden. Racism or whatever the name is displayed nowadays, is there.
There is a local store in two. If I go there with one of my brothers, there would be a person watching us to see what we will do. There are many times that I have grown not worry about people watching me. I don't understand why certain groups of people are watch more than others in stores.
I recall a friend that told me that her mother was a racist. This mother overcame that. Whenever I would see my friend's mother in church, I would go out of my way to give this lady a hug. When I did they I looked her in the face and saw a beautiful smile.
How could a person not like another race? What blind spots are there? Whatever it was to this lady had, God removed the issue. She was set free.
About People:
I try to speak to all who are willing to speak to me. There have been some hard cases. All of us are different. Through time, I get to learn more about people and understand some things about them.
I remember that my parents taught me to speak to every body. I grew up in a neighborhood of many races. Mostly blacks and whites lived on our long block. Our next door neighbors were Mexicans.
Some Of My Thoughts:
It was not to long after I became a Christian, I heard a preacher preached on racism. What he spoke on made some sense. Some one ask this preach can any one marry out of their race. The person was speaking of a black marrying a white person.
The preacher said that there is only one race. That is the human race. A human marries a human. We are all humans with different tent covering.
At one point in my life, I ask God for forgiveness of those who held slaves in bondage in America. I ask God to bring healing to the descendants from slavery. We should not hold what our forefathers did to one another forefathers.
I pray that people can unite as one: one as the human race. One thing I like about going to the church were I worship the true and living God is that I see a rainbow of colors there. Many people of different descents.
God is so good to bring many people of different origins together. There is only one God one Faith. That is of Jesus.
If we can see the God likeness in our fellow human in what ever race there is, we should not be comparing who is who. That who's skin tone is better or which hair text is not to have.
We are all created for a purpose. We can learn from one another as we share this earth together. We can be what God, our Creator wants us to be: a family of God God is our Heavenly Father.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In The Spirit of Thankfulness:
Encounters With My Race
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am thankful that God doesn't see color. I am thankful that God designed each and every person differently. I am thankful that God choose every thing that I am from my skin tone to what language that I would speak.
I am so thankful that Jesus came to bring us a new way to be human. I am thankful that I am human. I am thankful that God give my the nature to relate some people. I am thankful for a church of many nationalities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also I would like to add that I have relatives of many races. Blacks, Whites, Mulattos, American Indians, Mexican American, I don't know all what else. I can say that I have a rainbow of relatives. I am not ashamed of that.
We lack knowledge of what we don't know about other races. We are either taught about it or learn about it from other influences.
While I was growing up, I imagine myself special. I grew up in a large family. By the time I was going to school, schools were desegregated. It was an experience to get to learn more about people.
Most of my classmates in my grade school had a different color than me. I was the only person of my skin color in my class from my first grade to the 6th. I can say that there were not many minorities in our whole grade school during my stay there.
As far back as I can remember, I recall getting a doll for Christmas. It was not my skin color. I liked the doll anyway. The sad thing about it, I had to give the doll back to the person that gave it to me. I never understood way.
Then some of my siblings where telling me some things that I did not understand. They had been through some of the issues like I had experienced. They clued me in on some things. What I learned in my up bringing influenced how I saw things.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflections: On Encounters With My Race.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In My Early School Years:
It was not until I got to the 2nd Grade at Mark Twain Elementary School when I made a discovery what others said about my skin color. I knew that I was different. But how different was I?
Some of us girls were in line waiting to go into our classroom. One of the girls said that they had a crush on Elvis Presley. Then that girl turn to me and said that I could not have a crush on Elvis because was not his color.
It was also in the 2nd Grade that we had to draw a picture of our mothers for Mother's Day. I was so excited. We get to COLOR. I loved to draw.
One day our teacher Mrs. May wanted our attention. She said to the others students (not including me) to take out a pink crayon. Mrs. May told me to take out the brown crayon. I did not know why. All I wanted to do was to COLOR.
In Our Neighborhood:
Then there was an issue that came up while some of us siblings were playing ball with some of our neighbor's kids. One day one of the neighbor's kid was going to go into his house. He told me that I was not allowed in.
This kid was explaining to me why. Their parents told them not to let blacks in to their homes especially black females. I could not go into their homes. So I did not.
In My Middle School Years:
Then as I made my way to Truman Middle School, I had some encounters. One day I was walking down the hallway. I saw someone who I knew from another class. He was with some one who said "there is a N ahead of us."
Yeah, I heard what that person said. I slow down a bit before I was about to open the door where I was going. The person who I knew told the other person-- he said "She is OK!"
I recall before going to High School, a guy called me asking me what color I was? I did not answer his question. What different should it have made if I would have answered the question?
In My High School Years:
I made my way to Central High School. Yes, the issue was there too. One day I was walking into the Freshman building. There were three or four guys sitting on the bench.
I was the only girl there as I made my way to the door. One of the guys said the N word. It was loud enough so I could hear.
As I heard the voice say the word, I tried around. All the guys were laughing with there heads down. All I did was shook my head and with about my way.
Then in my Senior Year, I was in the Senior building studying in the hallway. For some reason some one from above split to where it landed on my paper. I looked up and the person way gone.
In Life:
Yeah, through out my life even still this every day, my skin color is an issue with some. There are many of us who are taught by our parents about other races. Should a person's skin color matter? I don't think so.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On My Journey Of Transformation:
My Higher Calling
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Through the years, I have grown through the issues of being called names. Since I am discovering who I am in Christ, that is what matter the most. I was created in the image of God.
I came across the scriptures that ----Men looks at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart. That is the most important beauty of a person. It is the heart of the person that matters.
About Church:
What I learned in life it comes out of us. What I heard that there are black churches, whites churches and so on. I did know why we were taught this. But it happened.
I remember when I started going to church. I heard some tell me that I was going to a "white" church. Then when I joined the choir for a season, I was in a "white" choir. What is the labeling business about churches?
There are times in my life when I do label things. Perhaps it is human nature. But at times I question myself. Why do I do that? I have been growing from labeling.
About Racism:
I do experience racism. Some cases are more noticeable than others. While some are well hidden. Racism or whatever the name is displayed nowadays, is there.
There is a local store in two. If I go there with one of my brothers, there would be a person watching us to see what we will do. There are many times that I have grown not worry about people watching me. I don't understand why certain groups of people are watch more than others in stores.
I recall a friend that told me that her mother was a racist. This mother overcame that. Whenever I would see my friend's mother in church, I would go out of my way to give this lady a hug. When I did they I looked her in the face and saw a beautiful smile.
How could a person not like another race? What blind spots are there? Whatever it was to this lady had, God removed the issue. She was set free.
About People:
I try to speak to all who are willing to speak to me. There have been some hard cases. All of us are different. Through time, I get to learn more about people and understand some things about them.
I remember that my parents taught me to speak to every body. I grew up in a neighborhood of many races. Mostly blacks and whites lived on our long block. Our next door neighbors were Mexicans.
Some Of My Thoughts:
It was not to long after I became a Christian, I heard a preacher preached on racism. What he spoke on made some sense. Some one ask this preach can any one marry out of their race. The person was speaking of a black marrying a white person.
The preacher said that there is only one race. That is the human race. A human marries a human. We are all humans with different tent covering.
At one point in my life, I ask God for forgiveness of those who held slaves in bondage in America. I ask God to bring healing to the descendants from slavery. We should not hold what our forefathers did to one another forefathers.
I pray that people can unite as one: one as the human race. One thing I like about going to the church were I worship the true and living God is that I see a rainbow of colors there. Many people of different descents.
God is so good to bring many people of different origins together. There is only one God one Faith. That is of Jesus.
If we can see the God likeness in our fellow human in what ever race there is, we should not be comparing who is who. That who's skin tone is better or which hair text is not to have.
We are all created for a purpose. We can learn from one another as we share this earth together. We can be what God, our Creator wants us to be: a family of God God is our Heavenly Father.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In The Spirit of Thankfulness:
Encounters With My Race
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am thankful that God doesn't see color. I am thankful that God designed each and every person differently. I am thankful that God choose every thing that I am from my skin tone to what language that I would speak.
I am so thankful that Jesus came to bring us a new way to be human. I am thankful that I am human. I am thankful that God give my the nature to relate some people. I am thankful for a church of many nationalities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also I would like to add that I have relatives of many races. Blacks, Whites, Mulattos, American Indians, Mexican American, I don't know all what else. I can say that I have a rainbow of relatives. I am not ashamed of that.
We lack knowledge of what we don't know about other races. We are either taught about it or learn about it from other influences.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
My First And Middle Birth Names
Re post from my Xanga site on Thursday, 07 May 2009
Are you happy with the name your parents gave you? Why or why not?
Do I like the name that my parents choose for me? Yes, I am happy with the name that my parents gave me. I was born the last in my family. Actually, my parents didn't have a name for me when I was born.
How did my parents come up with my name? It was one day my father came into my mother's hospital room with my name. He said let's name her Susan Ann. I was named after one of my parents' friend Susan.
My middle name came from my Aunt Anna. She was my mother sister and sister in law. Aunt Annie was married to my father's brother.
I grew up going by the nickname Susie. In my school years I remember been called Susan the most in my early years. Susan is my official name. I am not tried of my name.
I want to honor my parents by keeping my name they choose for me. I wouldn't want to change it. It's mine. That's the name on my official birth recorded that was record on May 8th a month after I was born.
I have been looking up what my name, Susan means. It's interesting to know what a name means. Susan means Lily. Susan is an English name with an Hebrew origin.
On My Journey Of Transformation
My First & Middle Birth Names
I am thankful for my names. If I combine my 1st and if I had my Aunt's Anna's name as my middle name, my name would be Susanna. Susanna is in the Bible
Luke 8:3
Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's business manager; Susanna and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.
Doing Life In The Kingdom Of God
Psalm 127:3
Behold children are a heritage from the LORD The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Footnote:
The first two questions were from Xanga's featured question submitted by tonyasworld
Are you happy with the name your parents gave you? Why or why not?
Do I like the name that my parents choose for me? Yes, I am happy with the name that my parents gave me. I was born the last in my family. Actually, my parents didn't have a name for me when I was born.
How did my parents come up with my name? It was one day my father came into my mother's hospital room with my name. He said let's name her Susan Ann. I was named after one of my parents' friend Susan.
My middle name came from my Aunt Anna. She was my mother sister and sister in law. Aunt Annie was married to my father's brother.
I grew up going by the nickname Susie. In my school years I remember been called Susan the most in my early years. Susan is my official name. I am not tried of my name.
I want to honor my parents by keeping my name they choose for me. I wouldn't want to change it. It's mine. That's the name on my official birth recorded that was record on May 8th a month after I was born.
I have been looking up what my name, Susan means. It's interesting to know what a name means. Susan means Lily. Susan is an English name with an Hebrew origin.
On My Journey Of Transformation
My First & Middle Birth Names
I am thankful for my names. If I combine my 1st and if I had my Aunt's Anna's name as my middle name, my name would be Susanna. Susanna is in the Bible
Luke 8:3
Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's business manager; Susanna and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.
Doing Life In The Kingdom Of God
Psalm 127:3
Behold children are a heritage from the LORD The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Footnote:
The first two questions were from Xanga's featured question submitted by tonyasworld
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
5 Favorite TV Programs From Childhood
I've been thinking about some of the TV programs that I use to watch while I was growing up. There were so many. But which ones stood out in my life? I list these it's not in the order that I like the most.
1) A mixture of shows
2) Bonanza
3) Star Trek
4) The Andy Griffith Show
5) Let It To Beaver
Bonanza, The Andy Griffith Show and Leave It To Beaver are still in syndication. Each show had some things that sparked my interest. Some were humorous. Some made me wonder.
On My Journey....
5 Favorite TV Programs From Childhood
I watch a lot of TV during my early years. Here are a few.
The Brady Bunch. The Monsters, Family Affair, Bat Man and Robin, Bewitched, The Wild Wild West, Welcome Back Kotter, 21 Jump Street,
The Beverly Hillbillies, I Love Lucy, The Three Scrooges, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Gilligan's Island, TV games shows: The Price Is Right, Hollywood Squares, Wheel of Fortune,
The Soaps, Married With Children, Roc, and the list goes on. I don't watch a lot of TV now days. I mostly watch the news. There are those rare moments when I watch a movie.
Xanga featured question:
What are your five favorite movies or TV programs from your childhood?
submitted by silentautumnlife
This blog was posted on 12 Aug 2009 on my Xanga.com site
1) A mixture of shows
2) Bonanza
3) Star Trek
4) The Andy Griffith Show
5) Let It To Beaver
Bonanza, The Andy Griffith Show and Leave It To Beaver are still in syndication. Each show had some things that sparked my interest. Some were humorous. Some made me wonder.
On My Journey....
5 Favorite TV Programs From Childhood
I watch a lot of TV during my early years. Here are a few.
The Brady Bunch. The Monsters, Family Affair, Bat Man and Robin, Bewitched, The Wild Wild West, Welcome Back Kotter, 21 Jump Street,
The Beverly Hillbillies, I Love Lucy, The Three Scrooges, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Gilligan's Island, TV games shows: The Price Is Right, Hollywood Squares, Wheel of Fortune,
The Soaps, Married With Children, Roc, and the list goes on. I don't watch a lot of TV now days. I mostly watch the news. There are those rare moments when I watch a movie.
Xanga featured question:
What are your five favorite movies or TV programs from your childhood?
submitted by silentautumnlife
This blog was posted on 12 Aug 2009 on my Xanga.com site
Friday, August 9, 2013
My Farthest Memories
I have been thinking...
How Far Back Can I Remember?
I can remember the time before I started going to school. My mother was on the telephone talking with someone. I heard my mother talking about enrolling me in to KG. I went in the afternoon.
I even remember walking to and from school with some of my siblings. It was along walk. We did have buses in those days. We lived about 9 blocks from Mark Twain Elementary School.
I recall playing with blocks in our play area in our classroom. I recall looking out the window onto the playground. I remember the swing set, the monkey bars and jungle gym. I recall the white and yellow circles and squares... drawings on the playground.
I recall the double doors in our classroom to come in our room. We even had a back door to go out to the playground. We had our own private bathroom in the back of our classroom. I thought that that was cool.
I recall that parents came to see their children. My parents did come. It must to have been Parents' Day. The parents came to see our classroom. And to look at what we did.
I recall laying down taking naps on a mat in our classroom. Then one day I was sick and missed school. I heard that Santa came to class that day.
So I missed Santa. I was not too disappointed. I knew who Santa was. Some of my siblings told me.
I recall reading about Sally, Dick, Jane and their dog named Spot. I recall that I was called upon to answer a question from one of our readings. I cannot recall which girl it was but Dick took and hid Jane's or Sally's ribbon. Our teacher, Miss Wise ask me What would Jane or Sally do about Dick taking the ribbon?
Here was my response to the question: I said, She would beat him up! The kids laughed at my answer. Miss Wise said that Dick would not do that. Miss Wise said that Jane or Sally would ask Dick to gave the back ribbon.
I felt "dumb" and "stupid" about my answer. I did not talk much. I was quiet. Yes, I was shy.
I recall hearing about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's Assassination. I remember that famous black and white photo. I wondered what those guys where pointing at.
I recall bringing candy to my classmates. It was my birthday four days after Dr. MLK Jr's Assassination. I even remember that I felt strange giving candy to my classmates during a time like that.
I recall seeing the men on the moon on TV. U.S. President Richard Nixon on TV during in his first term in office.
I remember relatives coming over to our Family House. People would be playing cards and talking. I recall that we had a hope chest in one of our rooms. It reminded me of a coffin.
I recall one day that the Hope chest opened up. I saw the lid was close. I ran when I saw the lid opening. I did not like being around coffins when I was a kid.
I recall watching TV shows; The Riffle Man. Other TV programs that some of my siblings would watch.
I recall one of my brothers hanging up my bicycle our swing set. He did this in our back yard and left it there. I was crying. ( I was teased a lot.)
I recall our Family Dog biting me in the stomach. Here is a section that I posted about "Dogs In The Family and Neighbor Dogs":
The First dog that I can remember in my family was "Fido". I don't know what breed of dog "Fido" was. What I remember about "Fido", he was iffy iffy.
He would be good to us. He was a happy dog. And at times turn on us. "Fido" would attack people if he though we were in danger.
Then again, there was a time when I was out in the back yard helping my Father clean up. I bent over to pick up something. All of a sudden "Fido" came running out of his house and charged at me biting my stomach. Boy I was scared. I cried...
Yes,"Fido" was something else. He liked to bit. He loved chasing cars tires. Well, one day our Father was going on his trash route. "Fido" broke loose and went chasing after the truck. This time "Fido" got ran over.
My Father buried "Fido" in our backyard. I was there looking on. Even though "Fido"was a crazy dog, I still like dogs.
I recall some of the games that we played in the house. We played marbles and jacks. We played with "army men". We made paper air planes and toss them in the air.
We played race cars with the orange tracks that made loops and turns. We built houses out of playing cards. We stood dominoes upright until we tapped one letting them fall one by one. (We played cards and dominoes too.)
I recall when our Dad and my brothers enlarged our basement. There was a lot of dirt to dig out. I remember one time there was some things outside the window. Someone one had an idea to lift me up to the window so I could get it. Yeah, I was small enough to go through our basement window.
On my journey of transformation
As I reflected back on my memories of the past, I found out as I was typing this blog, more things came to me. I added more detail. O the memories of what once was.
I had a thought. As the years go by, I lose some things of the past. So I challenged myself to this was a simple exercise. I put some thought into what I did.
So I thought of How Far Back Can I Remember? It was as though I took a journey in time's past. I had more memories than I thought.
It is good at times to recall the good things of the past. My memory goes back to 40 or 41 years ago. I think that that is good.
From my Book of Thanks and Blessings
Father God, I thank You that You blessed with a memory. I thank You for what I can remember things of the past. I thank You for the idea that came to me, to write things down for future generations.
I thank You for all the PROVISION that I have had in my life time. I thank You the FAITH that is in planted in me. I thank You for the SIGNS and WONDERS that I have witness in my days.
I thank You for the LOVE that surrounded me as I was growing up. I thank You that Your HEALING Hands guard my life. I thank You that DELIVERANCE that is in my life.
I thank You for the Door of HOPE that has been in my life. I thank You that well before I was born, You choose me to have the choice of SALVATION in Jesus' name Amen.
This blog came from my Xanga site 2007
How Far Back Can I Remember?
I can remember the time before I started going to school. My mother was on the telephone talking with someone. I heard my mother talking about enrolling me in to KG. I went in the afternoon.
I even remember walking to and from school with some of my siblings. It was along walk. We did have buses in those days. We lived about 9 blocks from Mark Twain Elementary School.
I recall playing with blocks in our play area in our classroom. I recall looking out the window onto the playground. I remember the swing set, the monkey bars and jungle gym. I recall the white and yellow circles and squares... drawings on the playground.
I recall the double doors in our classroom to come in our room. We even had a back door to go out to the playground. We had our own private bathroom in the back of our classroom. I thought that that was cool.
I recall that parents came to see their children. My parents did come. It must to have been Parents' Day. The parents came to see our classroom. And to look at what we did.
I recall laying down taking naps on a mat in our classroom. Then one day I was sick and missed school. I heard that Santa came to class that day.
So I missed Santa. I was not too disappointed. I knew who Santa was. Some of my siblings told me.
I recall reading about Sally, Dick, Jane and their dog named Spot. I recall that I was called upon to answer a question from one of our readings. I cannot recall which girl it was but Dick took and hid Jane's or Sally's ribbon. Our teacher, Miss Wise ask me What would Jane or Sally do about Dick taking the ribbon?
Here was my response to the question: I said, She would beat him up! The kids laughed at my answer. Miss Wise said that Dick would not do that. Miss Wise said that Jane or Sally would ask Dick to gave the back ribbon.
I felt "dumb" and "stupid" about my answer. I did not talk much. I was quiet. Yes, I was shy.
I recall hearing about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's Assassination. I remember that famous black and white photo. I wondered what those guys where pointing at.
I recall bringing candy to my classmates. It was my birthday four days after Dr. MLK Jr's Assassination. I even remember that I felt strange giving candy to my classmates during a time like that.
I recall seeing the men on the moon on TV. U.S. President Richard Nixon on TV during in his first term in office.
I remember relatives coming over to our Family House. People would be playing cards and talking. I recall that we had a hope chest in one of our rooms. It reminded me of a coffin.
I recall one day that the Hope chest opened up. I saw the lid was close. I ran when I saw the lid opening. I did not like being around coffins when I was a kid.
I recall watching TV shows; The Riffle Man. Other TV programs that some of my siblings would watch.
I recall one of my brothers hanging up my bicycle our swing set. He did this in our back yard and left it there. I was crying. ( I was teased a lot.)
I recall our Family Dog biting me in the stomach. Here is a section that I posted about "Dogs In The Family and Neighbor Dogs":
The First dog that I can remember in my family was "Fido". I don't know what breed of dog "Fido" was. What I remember about "Fido", he was iffy iffy.
He would be good to us. He was a happy dog. And at times turn on us. "Fido" would attack people if he though we were in danger.
Then again, there was a time when I was out in the back yard helping my Father clean up. I bent over to pick up something. All of a sudden "Fido" came running out of his house and charged at me biting my stomach. Boy I was scared. I cried...
Yes,"Fido" was something else. He liked to bit. He loved chasing cars tires. Well, one day our Father was going on his trash route. "Fido" broke loose and went chasing after the truck. This time "Fido" got ran over.
My Father buried "Fido" in our backyard. I was there looking on. Even though "Fido"was a crazy dog, I still like dogs.
I recall some of the games that we played in the house. We played marbles and jacks. We played with "army men". We made paper air planes and toss them in the air.
We played race cars with the orange tracks that made loops and turns. We built houses out of playing cards. We stood dominoes upright until we tapped one letting them fall one by one. (We played cards and dominoes too.)
I recall when our Dad and my brothers enlarged our basement. There was a lot of dirt to dig out. I remember one time there was some things outside the window. Someone one had an idea to lift me up to the window so I could get it. Yeah, I was small enough to go through our basement window.
On my journey of transformation
As I reflected back on my memories of the past, I found out as I was typing this blog, more things came to me. I added more detail. O the memories of what once was.
I had a thought. As the years go by, I lose some things of the past. So I challenged myself to this was a simple exercise. I put some thought into what I did.
So I thought of How Far Back Can I Remember? It was as though I took a journey in time's past. I had more memories than I thought.
It is good at times to recall the good things of the past. My memory goes back to 40 or 41 years ago. I think that that is good.
From my Book of Thanks and Blessings
Father God, I thank You that You blessed with a memory. I thank You for what I can remember things of the past. I thank You for the idea that came to me, to write things down for future generations.
I thank You for all the PROVISION that I have had in my life time. I thank You the FAITH that is in planted in me. I thank You for the SIGNS and WONDERS that I have witness in my days.
I thank You for the LOVE that surrounded me as I was growing up. I thank You that Your HEALING Hands guard my life. I thank You that DELIVERANCE that is in my life.
I thank You for the Door of HOPE that has been in my life. I thank You that well before I was born, You choose me to have the choice of SALVATION in Jesus' name Amen.
This blog came from my Xanga site 2007
Monday, April 8, 2013
A Half A Century
 |
| Lula gave birth to her last child....a 9 pound 5 ounce baby girl. That baby girl was me. I can't believe that I'm 50. Photo Take on Nov 28, 1998. Sister's wedding Day |
Staying On The Journey,
Susan
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Special Years As Ages & Vice Vera
This is a re post from my Xanga site on Sunday, 13 September 2009
I can recall when I started noticing some things in my life. I saw some significant in this. When I turned 33, I though about how old Jesus was when He died. What it felt like to be 33.
But as I look back in my teens, I though when I turned 13 that my father was going to died. I don't recall why I thought that. My father, David coughed a lot.
My father was sick man. He worked in a foundry. But when I turned 13, It was the start of my teenage years. My father was born in 1913.
By the time I was 19 or 20, things had a turn. I was more into Jesus and reading the Bible. When I reach 29 another turn came. I would be in my 30's.
Then as I grew, I started reading the psalms as the age I was at that time. Psalm 33- and so on. By the time I reach 39, I saw some special years coming into my life. Then I went into my 40's where I am at now.
My father's mother, Jennie's life to be only about 41 or 42. My mother gave birth to me when she was almost 43. I began to catch on to things during my 40's.
My father's father, John passed away about 46. My father was about 49 1/2 when I was born. When my sibling turn in their 60's and 70's, I noticed some things. ...63 and 48, 69,70, and so forth.
The years 1988, 1989, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and beyond. I saw some things too. I don't know how I come across this things. But I am so happy when I see the connections.
May the LORD reveal to us things that we can see. May we be aware of the times that we are in. May the joy of the LORD be fill in us on our journey.
On The Journey...
Special Years As Ages & Vice Vera
This was an interesting discovery.
I've another blog that is another discovery.
Have A GREAT Week!
Peace to you,
Susan
I can recall when I started noticing some things in my life. I saw some significant in this. When I turned 33, I though about how old Jesus was when He died. What it felt like to be 33.
But as I look back in my teens, I though when I turned 13 that my father was going to died. I don't recall why I thought that. My father, David coughed a lot.
My father was sick man. He worked in a foundry. But when I turned 13, It was the start of my teenage years. My father was born in 1913.
By the time I was 19 or 20, things had a turn. I was more into Jesus and reading the Bible. When I reach 29 another turn came. I would be in my 30's.
Then as I grew, I started reading the psalms as the age I was at that time. Psalm 33- and so on. By the time I reach 39, I saw some special years coming into my life. Then I went into my 40's where I am at now.
My father's mother, Jennie's life to be only about 41 or 42. My mother gave birth to me when she was almost 43. I began to catch on to things during my 40's.
My father's father, John passed away about 46. My father was about 49 1/2 when I was born. When my sibling turn in their 60's and 70's, I noticed some things. ...63 and 48, 69,70, and so forth.
The years 1988, 1989, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and beyond. I saw some things too. I don't know how I come across this things. But I am so happy when I see the connections.
May the LORD reveal to us things that we can see. May we be aware of the times that we are in. May the joy of the LORD be fill in us on our journey.
On The Journey...
Special Years As Ages & Vice Vera
This was an interesting discovery.
I've another blog that is another discovery.
Have A GREAT Week!
Peace to you,
Susan
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Leaving A Legacy
I've been searching for my family history for over 30 years. I can't recall when I really got interesting in searching. Through the years of hearing stories from family members and relatives, I started to seek out more.
My major break through in my search came while I was on ancestry.com I discovered many documents year after year. I'm still searching with whatever resource that's out there.
There's so much to leave as a legacy in a family history. I hope that family members in my generation and the generations to come, will have a knowing of where we came from. We all have a family history. But will we be willing to search where our ancestors and relatives came from? Will we be willing to share?
It's been a journey. I have made a lot of progress over the years. I hope to discover more along my journey quest. And I hope others can add to the family history.
As I look back over my journey, I see that there were times when I hit a season on the journey when I don't find anything. Then there were times when a wellspring of information comes. I thank God for what I have come across and for what there to discover.
I can't take all the credit on what I've come across. There has been some who helped me along the way. I thank God for them. I hope that there are others will pick up where those before them left off.
May we all know that each of us are apart of a family history.
May we share what we know or heard about the family history.
May we all leave a legacy for the generations to come.
Amen!
Thanks for reading.
Leaving A Legacy
Staying On The Journey,
Susan
My major break through in my search came while I was on ancestry.com I discovered many documents year after year. I'm still searching with whatever resource that's out there.
There's so much to leave as a legacy in a family history. I hope that family members in my generation and the generations to come, will have a knowing of where we came from. We all have a family history. But will we be willing to search where our ancestors and relatives came from? Will we be willing to share?
It's been a journey. I have made a lot of progress over the years. I hope to discover more along my journey quest. And I hope others can add to the family history.
As I look back over my journey, I see that there were times when I hit a season on the journey when I don't find anything. Then there were times when a wellspring of information comes. I thank God for what I have come across and for what there to discover.
I can't take all the credit on what I've come across. There has been some who helped me along the way. I thank God for them. I hope that there are others will pick up where those before them left off.
May we all know that each of us are apart of a family history.
May we share what we know or heard about the family history.
May we all leave a legacy for the generations to come.
Amen!
Thanks for reading.
Leaving A Legacy
Staying On The Journey,
Susan
Monday, October 31, 2011
Reflecting On My Journey To Yankton, South Dakota Part 3
Family History----The Road To Yankton Continues
This is the day which the Lord has brought about; we shall rejoice and be glad in it. The Amplified Bible
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entry: September 6, 1985...The Road To Yankton Continues...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We were in Yankton, however we could not find the house were Mary Jane lived. We rode around town looking for the Post Office Box -- Routine --. We couldn't find it. Finally we stopped a young a man on the streets and asked him were the Lightners lived. He did not know who we were talking about at first.
I said the Blakeys. Mary Jane was a Blakey. This man told us that a Blakey had died several days ago. He thought that we were here for the funeral. He knew were Ted Blakey lived, but not Mary Jane.
We drove back to the direction were we came. We stop someone else. This time they knew what we were talking about. This man pointed us in the right way. It was near the edge of town where we came from to enter Yankton. We drove there I never dreamt it would be like it was.
We drove up in front of trailer houses about three of them. I looked around trying to seek out which trailer house Mary lived in. After the car stopped every one got out slowly. I was amazed that we got there [in] an hour.
The drive was uncomfortable. I stretched my legs. We walked up to the nearest tailer house. It was by coincidence, it was the right place. Mary Jane greeted us as if she knew us for a long time.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entry date September 7, 1985
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before Mary invited us to set down she introduced herself and the others in the room. She presented us to her sister, Dorothy, cousins and her son, Jim Jr. We all set down and got acquainted. Mary Jane knew who my sister, Mary and myself were because I sent Mary Jane pictures... weeks before our arrival.
I did not dream that Mary Jane would look like she did. She was about 5' 5". Here hair was jet black which was pulled up in the back. Her skin complexion was fair; light complexion, yellowish brown skin. She looked like she was about thirty five. She was over 40. Mary's sister had dark complexion. She had jet black hair also. However both Mary and her sister, Dorothy had high cheekbones and round faces.
[Cousin] Mary's house was pleasant. It looked like a comfortable environment even though it was a trailer home. There were pictures on the wall. She showed me who every body was, but I didn't recall who was who. The family room was at the front of the trailer. There was more pictures on the wall.
The room next to the family room was the kitchen. It was small, but not too big. The entertainment room was near the kitchen. All the rooms were in one room from each other. The bed rooms were behind the other rooms in the back which I did not get to see.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I will stop here. This was the very first time I have been in a trailer home. I never know how it looked on the inside. I was overwhelmed by all that I saw and went through just to get where I was at that moment in my life.
I thought to described my cousins' outward appearances. I wanted to give you a flavor of the different "shades of color". I know that we tend to look at the outward appearance of people. God's beauty is in ALL people no matter the race.
As I look back over this journey oh, how I wish I had a camera and a taper recorder for these "historic" meetings. I did not know how much "richness" was in our family history during this point in my life until I started this reflection of my family history quest.
Great Aunt Mary was the oldest member of the Blakey generation at that time. She had information stored up in her that she shared with her off springs. I hope that they treasure what she told them. So they came pass it on to their generation.
Great Aunt Mary passed away in 1985. This was about a month before our family reunion in Yankton. She was about 93.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What am I thankful for ? I thank God for the covenant blessing of HELP. I thank God for the covenant blessing of WISDOM and PROTECTION. I am grateful that God has His hand on my life.
I ask God for His WISDOM that He is flowing into my life. I thank God for His PROTECTION for my life and my family's lives. I thank God for watching over us.... God is a GOOD GOD!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That ever day you are reading this entry... Have A Wonderful Day! God Bless you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Day Dawning!
The family history quest continues.
~ Susie ~
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"We tend to worry most over things we have least control over." Archibald D. Hart
This is the day which the Lord has brought about; we shall rejoice and be glad in it. The Amplified Bible
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entry: September 6, 1985...The Road To Yankton Continues...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We were in Yankton, however we could not find the house were Mary Jane lived. We rode around town looking for the Post Office Box -- Routine --. We couldn't find it. Finally we stopped a young a man on the streets and asked him were the Lightners lived. He did not know who we were talking about at first.
I said the Blakeys. Mary Jane was a Blakey. This man told us that a Blakey had died several days ago. He thought that we were here for the funeral. He knew were Ted Blakey lived, but not Mary Jane.
We drove back to the direction were we came. We stop someone else. This time they knew what we were talking about. This man pointed us in the right way. It was near the edge of town where we came from to enter Yankton. We drove there I never dreamt it would be like it was.
We drove up in front of trailer houses about three of them. I looked around trying to seek out which trailer house Mary lived in. After the car stopped every one got out slowly. I was amazed that we got there [in] an hour.
The drive was uncomfortable. I stretched my legs. We walked up to the nearest tailer house. It was by coincidence, it was the right place. Mary Jane greeted us as if she knew us for a long time.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entry date September 7, 1985
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before Mary invited us to set down she introduced herself and the others in the room. She presented us to her sister, Dorothy, cousins and her son, Jim Jr. We all set down and got acquainted. Mary Jane knew who my sister, Mary and myself were because I sent Mary Jane pictures... weeks before our arrival.
I did not dream that Mary Jane would look like she did. She was about 5' 5". Here hair was jet black which was pulled up in the back. Her skin complexion was fair; light complexion, yellowish brown skin. She looked like she was about thirty five. She was over 40. Mary's sister had dark complexion. She had jet black hair also. However both Mary and her sister, Dorothy had high cheekbones and round faces.
[Cousin] Mary's house was pleasant. It looked like a comfortable environment even though it was a trailer home. There were pictures on the wall. She showed me who every body was, but I didn't recall who was who. The family room was at the front of the trailer. There was more pictures on the wall.
The room next to the family room was the kitchen. It was small, but not too big. The entertainment room was near the kitchen. All the rooms were in one room from each other. The bed rooms were behind the other rooms in the back which I did not get to see.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I will stop here. This was the very first time I have been in a trailer home. I never know how it looked on the inside. I was overwhelmed by all that I saw and went through just to get where I was at that moment in my life.
I thought to described my cousins' outward appearances. I wanted to give you a flavor of the different "shades of color". I know that we tend to look at the outward appearance of people. God's beauty is in ALL people no matter the race.
As I look back over this journey oh, how I wish I had a camera and a taper recorder for these "historic" meetings. I did not know how much "richness" was in our family history during this point in my life until I started this reflection of my family history quest.
Great Aunt Mary was the oldest member of the Blakey generation at that time. She had information stored up in her that she shared with her off springs. I hope that they treasure what she told them. So they came pass it on to their generation.
Great Aunt Mary passed away in 1985. This was about a month before our family reunion in Yankton. She was about 93.
 |
Mary Jane (Blakey) Lightner passed away in 2003. |
What am I thankful for ? I thank God for the covenant blessing of HELP. I thank God for the covenant blessing of WISDOM and PROTECTION. I am grateful that God has His hand on my life.
I ask God for His WISDOM that He is flowing into my life. I thank God for His PROTECTION for my life and my family's lives. I thank God for watching over us.... God is a GOOD GOD!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That ever day you are reading this entry... Have A Wonderful Day! God Bless you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Day Dawning!
The family history quest continues.
~ Susie ~
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"We tend to worry most over things we have least control over." Archibald D. Hart
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Reflecting On The Journey To Yankton, South Dakota ~ Part 2
Part One
October 1981 , On the Road to Yankton, SD
The Journey Begins---The Road To Yankton
"This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it".
The New King James Version
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But still I rejoiced because the LORD made this day....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This posting is the continuation from yesterday blog
Entry September 1, 1985.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was about two days before we plan our trip to Yankton, [S.D.] however there was another problem [My] Mother did not want me to go. I was about 18 at that time. My mother felt that I should not go.
I wanted badly to go. Somehow my sister [Mary] talked our mother into letting me go. My mother told me she did not trust the driving on the highway. I did get to go. I was excited.
It was the day before Halloween [Eve of Reformation Day]. We, my sister, Mary and her boyfriend [Roger] started on our journey to Yankton, South Dakota. Again there was another problem, however we solved it a day ahead of time. My sister's boyfriend's car was still in the shop. My sister had to take her car instead.
After we packed our bags into my sister's car [we were about ready to go.] It was about 2:30 PM. We were on our way. I have never been far out of Missouri. Yankton was about roughly a 5 hour drive. I was use to three or less.
As we left St. Joseph, Missouri, I began imaging what I might encounter ? I enjoyed watching the landscape as we pass town to town. It began to get boring about an hour and half after we left. I decided to put my seat belt on and go to sleep.
However I did not sleep long. My sister's boyfriend drove fast..... I courageously stayed up the rest of the way. I began observing the scenery once more. The land began to have higher hills than in St. Joseph.
I will write a little of what the next few entries were about: September 2 - 3, 1985...
I wrote down what I saw in description on the Road to Sioux City, Iowa. And then while we made the stop at my sister's boyfriend's sister's house, we met the sister in law of the cousin that we were going to met in Yankton.
I will pick up with the entry on September 4, 1985.
We arrived at [my sister's boyfriend's sister,] Terri's house about 7 o'clock. We all got unpacked. We had an opportunity to met one of our cousin's sister in law. She was half Indian....
[Yeah,] We met a sister in law of the person who we were going to met. She was very fair skinned and had jet black hair. She was half Indian. I was wondering if Mary Jane, our cousin would have the same quality skin as her sister in law.
The next morning, I woke [up] and was ready to go. It was Halloween Day. First we decided to let Al, Terri's husband drive us to Yankton. We didn't know the way. It was about 10:30 AM or 11 o'clock in the morning when we left for Yankton. We knew where we were heading but [we] did not know exactly how to get there.
Entry September 5, 1985...
After we, my sister Mary and her boyfriend, Roger, Roger's sister Terri and Terri's husband, Al and their daughter Tiffany [we] were set to go. Al drove. Roger was in the front with him. All the girls sat in the back. I was in the middle. Mary was on my left. Terri and Tiffany on the right.
The roads leading from Iowa to South Dakota were similar all the way. Farm houses were surrounded by tall trees. The land seemed flat compared to the small hills in the foreground. We entered South Dakota. The highway scenery to have more hills.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I will stop here... Meanwhile I will recap a little bit about what I shared in last week's posting about my father's lineage. Our surname was changed at some points during one generation to the next. BLAKEY was one of our names.
My first contact was a cousin, Mary Jane who wanted us to come up to Yankton, S.D. so she could fill us in on the family history. Mary Jane told us we had a Great Aunt Mary, Mary Jane's Grandmother who wanted to met us. Mary Jane heard the story of the Blakeys from her Grandmother who helped raise her.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What am I thankful for ? I am thankful for the covenant blessing of HELP that God has upon my life. I am grateful that God has given me the covenant blessing of LIFE . A life worth living.
I want to thank you, my viewers who are reading and or making comment(s) on my weblog. I truly appreciate that you take the time to visit my website. I also thank those who take the time to add more smiles into my days. God bless you.
What ever day that you read this entry. Have A Great Day!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's the Dawning Of A NEW DAY!
The Road To Yankton continues on the next posting.
~ Susie ~
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Sincere regret for wrong never weakens, but always strengthens the heart."
Matthew Henry
October 1981 , On the Road to Yankton, SD
The Journey Begins---The Road To Yankton
"This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it".
The New King James Version
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But still I rejoiced because the LORD made this day....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This posting is the continuation from yesterday blog
Entry September 1, 1985.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was about two days before we plan our trip to Yankton, [S.D.] however there was another problem [My] Mother did not want me to go. I was about 18 at that time. My mother felt that I should not go.
I wanted badly to go. Somehow my sister [Mary] talked our mother into letting me go. My mother told me she did not trust the driving on the highway. I did get to go. I was excited.
It was the day before Halloween [Eve of Reformation Day]. We, my sister, Mary and her boyfriend [Roger] started on our journey to Yankton, South Dakota. Again there was another problem, however we solved it a day ahead of time. My sister's boyfriend's car was still in the shop. My sister had to take her car instead.
After we packed our bags into my sister's car [we were about ready to go.] It was about 2:30 PM. We were on our way. I have never been far out of Missouri. Yankton was about roughly a 5 hour drive. I was use to three or less.
As we left St. Joseph, Missouri, I began imaging what I might encounter ? I enjoyed watching the landscape as we pass town to town. It began to get boring about an hour and half after we left. I decided to put my seat belt on and go to sleep.
However I did not sleep long. My sister's boyfriend drove fast..... I courageously stayed up the rest of the way. I began observing the scenery once more. The land began to have higher hills than in St. Joseph.
I will write a little of what the next few entries were about: September 2 - 3, 1985...
I wrote down what I saw in description on the Road to Sioux City, Iowa. And then while we made the stop at my sister's boyfriend's sister's house, we met the sister in law of the cousin that we were going to met in Yankton.
I will pick up with the entry on September 4, 1985.
We arrived at [my sister's boyfriend's sister,] Terri's house about 7 o'clock. We all got unpacked. We had an opportunity to met one of our cousin's sister in law. She was half Indian....
[Yeah,] We met a sister in law of the person who we were going to met. She was very fair skinned and had jet black hair. She was half Indian. I was wondering if Mary Jane, our cousin would have the same quality skin as her sister in law.
The next morning, I woke [up] and was ready to go. It was Halloween Day. First we decided to let Al, Terri's husband drive us to Yankton. We didn't know the way. It was about 10:30 AM or 11 o'clock in the morning when we left for Yankton. We knew where we were heading but [we] did not know exactly how to get there.
Entry September 5, 1985...
After we, my sister Mary and her boyfriend, Roger, Roger's sister Terri and Terri's husband, Al and their daughter Tiffany [we] were set to go. Al drove. Roger was in the front with him. All the girls sat in the back. I was in the middle. Mary was on my left. Terri and Tiffany on the right.
The roads leading from Iowa to South Dakota were similar all the way. Farm houses were surrounded by tall trees. The land seemed flat compared to the small hills in the foreground. We entered South Dakota. The highway scenery to have more hills.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I will stop here... Meanwhile I will recap a little bit about what I shared in last week's posting about my father's lineage. Our surname was changed at some points during one generation to the next. BLAKEY was one of our names.
My first contact was a cousin, Mary Jane who wanted us to come up to Yankton, S.D. so she could fill us in on the family history. Mary Jane told us we had a Great Aunt Mary, Mary Jane's Grandmother who wanted to met us. Mary Jane heard the story of the Blakeys from her Grandmother who helped raise her.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What am I thankful for ? I am thankful for the covenant blessing of HELP that God has upon my life. I am grateful that God has given me the covenant blessing of LIFE . A life worth living.
I want to thank you, my viewers who are reading and or making comment(s) on my weblog. I truly appreciate that you take the time to visit my website. I also thank those who take the time to add more smiles into my days. God bless you.
What ever day that you read this entry. Have A Great Day!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's the Dawning Of A NEW DAY!
The Road To Yankton continues on the next posting.
~ Susie ~
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Sincere regret for wrong never weakens, but always strengthens the heart."
Matthew Henry
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Reflecting On The Journey To Yankton South Dakota: October 1981 ~ Part 1
My Family History Quest Continues--With Contacts
This posting is a re post from one of my other blog site.
Now, I will share a little bit on the quest on my Father's lineage. It a whole "new ball" game to explain. Through it all I have gain more information on my Father's side through continual searching and clue from cousins...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is from my English assignment class while I was in college.
This was my last entry for August 31, 1985 --- Family History: My First Contact.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was sometime in September of 1981 when my frustration was released... I found some prove of evidence on who my Grandfather was [on my Father's side]. My sister was in Sioux City, Iowa visiting a friend. While she was there her friend said that she knew of the Blakeys that were related to us.
My sister, Mary called this woman. Mary talked to her on the telephone. Mary wrote our, cousin's address down on a piece of paper. After her, [my sister's] trip, she would tell me about this cousin.
Mary told me, [that] she talked to Mary Jane [our cousin] on the telephone. She is the cousin that remains [my sister] Mary of our Aunt Mary, our Father's sister. According to my sister, Mary's friend, this cousin was half [American] Indian.
During this time I told my sister [Mary] if one can prove that they were at least 1/4 Indian they could go to college free. [ I haven't heard of such a thing.] She, my sister Mary told me to write this lady and try to find out more about our Grandfather John...[ our Father's Father.]
At this time I was hopeless and did not know what it do. So I decided to write this lady. I explained to her what I wanted to know. It took about two pages front and back. The letter was all [hand]written and the rest is history.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Letter---
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On September 30, 1981, I received a letter from a woman named Mary Jane Lightner. She wrote a reply from my inquiry about my Grandpa John. Mary [Jane] told me that I had a Great Aunt Mary who was 89...[ this Mary was Mary Jane's Grandmother".] Great Aunt Mary told her, about my Grandpa John when he was in Yankton, South Dakota. [Great Aunt Mary was my Grandpa John's sister in law.]
[Cousin] Mary Jane explained to me that her Grandpa Spencer Blakey help out my Grandpa John. She also mentioned that she was half Cherokee and Sioux Indian. She wanted to help me find out who my Grandpa was. She wanted me to come up one weekend, so she could fill me in on the family history.
At first I was overwhelmed. I found someone who knew something about my Grandpa. I showed this letter to my sister, Mary. She was excited. She wanted to go to Yankton. All we had to do was to plan when we were going... We decided to go two weeks from Saturday, a week before Halloween...[That's Reformation Day]
Some how our plans didn't work out. We had to cancel out. We had car trouble. My sister's boyfriend's car was not working properly. We changed our plans till the following Saturday.[ Reformation Day]
I will stop at this point. The next entry:
September 1, 1985-- "The Journey Begins".
Let me fill you in on some things. The confusion was on our family's surname. It was spelled BLAKEY. There were a lot of same name relatives. John, Isaac, MARY and so on... common names in our family. This would cause confusion if you did not know... who was who.
I found an article in 1977. It was titled Slavery Descendants To Have First Reunion. I found out that this reunion took place in Sioux City, Iowa in the early 1970's. As I did more research on the family tree, I found out more confusion.
Here's an example. I had always thought that our Great Grandfather was John BLAKEY. This was not the case. When we made our trip to Yankton, S.D., our family history quest took a turn with more surprises.
I will share more in future postings. Part 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's The Dawning Of A New Day!
Susie~
This posting is a re post from one of my other blog site.
Now, I will share a little bit on the quest on my Father's lineage. It a whole "new ball" game to explain. Through it all I have gain more information on my Father's side through continual searching and clue from cousins...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is from my English assignment class while I was in college.
This was my last entry for August 31, 1985 --- Family History: My First Contact.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was sometime in September of 1981 when my frustration was released... I found some prove of evidence on who my Grandfather was [on my Father's side]. My sister was in Sioux City, Iowa visiting a friend. While she was there her friend said that she knew of the Blakeys that were related to us.
My sister, Mary called this woman. Mary talked to her on the telephone. Mary wrote our, cousin's address down on a piece of paper. After her, [my sister's] trip, she would tell me about this cousin.
Mary told me, [that] she talked to Mary Jane [our cousin] on the telephone. She is the cousin that remains [my sister] Mary of our Aunt Mary, our Father's sister. According to my sister, Mary's friend, this cousin was half [American] Indian.
During this time I told my sister [Mary] if one can prove that they were at least 1/4 Indian they could go to college free. [ I haven't heard of such a thing.] She, my sister Mary told me to write this lady and try to find out more about our Grandfather John...[ our Father's Father.]
At this time I was hopeless and did not know what it do. So I decided to write this lady. I explained to her what I wanted to know. It took about two pages front and back. The letter was all [hand]written and the rest is history.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Letter---
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On September 30, 1981, I received a letter from a woman named Mary Jane Lightner. She wrote a reply from my inquiry about my Grandpa John. Mary [Jane] told me that I had a Great Aunt Mary who was 89...[ this Mary was Mary Jane's Grandmother".] Great Aunt Mary told her, about my Grandpa John when he was in Yankton, South Dakota. [Great Aunt Mary was my Grandpa John's sister in law.]
[Cousin] Mary Jane explained to me that her Grandpa Spencer Blakey help out my Grandpa John. She also mentioned that she was half Cherokee and Sioux Indian. She wanted to help me find out who my Grandpa was. She wanted me to come up one weekend, so she could fill me in on the family history.
At first I was overwhelmed. I found someone who knew something about my Grandpa. I showed this letter to my sister, Mary. She was excited. She wanted to go to Yankton. All we had to do was to plan when we were going... We decided to go two weeks from Saturday, a week before Halloween...[That's Reformation Day]
Some how our plans didn't work out. We had to cancel out. We had car trouble. My sister's boyfriend's car was not working properly. We changed our plans till the following Saturday.[ Reformation Day]
I will stop at this point. The next entry:
September 1, 1985-- "The Journey Begins".
Let me fill you in on some things. The confusion was on our family's surname. It was spelled BLAKEY. There were a lot of same name relatives. John, Isaac, MARY and so on... common names in our family. This would cause confusion if you did not know... who was who.
I found an article in 1977. It was titled Slavery Descendants To Have First Reunion. I found out that this reunion took place in Sioux City, Iowa in the early 1970's. As I did more research on the family tree, I found out more confusion.
Here's an example. I had always thought that our Great Grandfather was John BLAKEY. This was not the case. When we made our trip to Yankton, S.D., our family history quest took a turn with more surprises.
I will share more in future postings. Part 2
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It's The Dawning Of A New Day!
Susie~
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Being Born Last In My Family
I have been pondering about my up bringing. I cannot recall when I was told how many brothers and sisters I had. I just recall that we had a house full.
There were times in my life, friends would ask me, How does it feel being born the last in my family? I have heard "the old saying" of the world that the first and the last child was born by accident. Those children were most likely not planned.
There was always someone to play games with and help me out with my homework. When I was in school some of the teachers already knew who I was. Some taught some of my siblings. Us kids looked some what alike.
There were some of my siblings who were teaching in the Public Schools. When I was in Middle School and High School, I had a sibling teacher there where I attended. I saw that as an advantage. None of my siblings were my teachers.
Then there were questions...Here is one. How did you eat? My reply. When it came time to eat we ate. We had a lot of food to eat too.
On My Journey Of Transformation
There are times when I am out and about, there would be people who knows my last name just by looking at me. I never met most of this people I come across. I wondered how they knew my name.
I ask some of the people...How did they know my last name? They say that they can tell the resembles from some of my siblings. It is our eyes, the people say.
People continue to ask me which one are you? Some things I would say my name. Then there are times when I say "I am the baby or I am the last one".
Would it be something if people could look a Christians and see some characteristic of God and know who Christian are. Being known by our Father's image. Reflecting from the light that is of God.
May your light of God shine for into the world around you. May your spirit that is of God be seen in others in your world. May God bless you on your journey of life.
While On The Journey,
Being Born Last In The Family
Thanks for reading.
Blessings to all,
Susan
From my Book of Thanks and Blessings
Heavenly Father, I thank You that I am one of Your beloved daughters. I thank You that I was born for a purpose. I thank You that You birth me into a godly family.
There were times in my life, friends would ask me, How does it feel being born the last in my family? I have heard "the old saying" of the world that the first and the last child was born by accident. Those children were most likely not planned.
As I have an a Christian, I don't see the as the truth. By no means any child is born by accident. God has a purpose for all children born in which ever way they come into this world; Those births by married women and singled women.
All births are in God's plan. God knew about my birth long before my parents were conceived. Even so, God knew how many children my parents would have. My parents only wanted 2 boys and 2 girls
All births are in God's plan. God knew about my birth long before my parents were conceived. Even so, God knew how many children my parents would have. My parents only wanted 2 boys and 2 girls
 |
| My parents David and Lula with their 18 on the Last Day of 1976 I'm sitting on the floor on the right. |
I remember my Mother talking to someone about her children. She said that her doctor told her the she was a "breeder". And that she could have had as many children as she wanted. My parents love children.
My Mother and my father decided to have more child after the birth of my brother who is 16 months older than me. Yes, I was my parents' last bundle of joy. When I was born, I became blessed. Here is a photo of my parents.
My mother was almost 43. My Father was about 49 1/2. They were Grandparents as well. They did not have a name for me. My mother said that my father came into the hospital room and said let's call her Susan.
I was a daddy's girl. Yes, I was spoiled. I was my parents' 4th daughter. The oldest girl died about 30 days old. My parents had only 15 sons.
There are some advantages of being the youngest. I don't recall my parents ever spanking me. There voices were good enough for me to stay out of trouble.
There was always someone to play games with and help me out with my homework. When I was in school some of the teachers already knew who I was. Some taught some of my siblings. Us kids looked some what alike.
There were some of my siblings who were teaching in the Public Schools. When I was in Middle School and High School, I had a sibling teacher there where I attended. I saw that as an advantage. None of my siblings were my teachers.
Then there were questions...Here is one. How did you eat? My reply. When it came time to eat we ate. We had a lot of food to eat too.
On My Journey Of Transformation
There are times when I am out and about, there would be people who knows my last name just by looking at me. I never met most of this people I come across. I wondered how they knew my name.
I ask some of the people...How did they know my last name? They say that they can tell the resembles from some of my siblings. It is our eyes, the people say.
People continue to ask me which one are you? Some things I would say my name. Then there are times when I say "I am the baby or I am the last one".
Would it be something if people could look a Christians and see some characteristic of God and know who Christian are. Being known by our Father's image. Reflecting from the light that is of God.
May your light of God shine for into the world around you. May your spirit that is of God be seen in others in your world. May God bless you on your journey of life.
While On The Journey,
Being Born Last In The Family
Thanks for reading.
Blessings to all,
Susan
From my Book of Thanks and Blessings
Heavenly Father, I thank You that I am one of Your beloved daughters. I thank You that I was born for a purpose. I thank You that You birth me into a godly family.
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