Smoke Signals and other news
My time in Georgia has come to a close for this trip. It was a great vacation and time of healing for me. I certainly enjoyed time with the family that I don’t often get to see. I have been pampered, had my first pedicure ever (and forgot to check the ingredients in the lotion they used, and it itched severely for two days-that was totally my fault), had most of my meals prepared and served to me, eaten in new places, saw many of the sights in the area, and visited my only living uncle.
On Thursday night, Santa decided to drop off Landon and Olivia’s presents early since they would be traveling to Mississippi. Since moving there, they have not had Christmas in their house in Georgia, as they have come to Mississippi each year.
Personally, I am saddened by the events that have gone on in the Town Hall of Byhalia. I am not a resident of the town of Byhalia, but I have called it my hometown for 72 years. I have attended school there, shopped there, attended church there, supported many events, hosted events, served on the Chamber Board for more than 25 years, helped establish and run the ball program with others for more than 30 years, attended town board meetings, worked to help establish the shelter at the old gym when the hurricane hit the coast and was even the reason the commercial air condition units were donated by Carrier Corporation and installed there by a local contractor. To see the anger, the arguments, and the lack of communication between the aldermen and the mayor is heartbreaking. I report on most meetings but can only report the facts without opinions or emotions. The town needs prayers and healing in so many ways.
Christmas is now behind us. Some of you celebrate in different ways or don’t celebrate at all. Whatever you do, time with family is most important, along with worshiping in your own way. There were many Christmas programs, parades, and decorations/lights to see. Many families gathered to eat together. Others ate alone, if at all. Some had precious family members who were no longer here, making the holiday harder for them. In the past, my family has invited guests who had no place to go to join in our celebration. Sometimes, this was a military serviceman stationed nearby who could not go home for Christmas, or sometimes, just a neighbor we knew would be alone. We were not able to do that this year for a variety of reasons. Hopefully, we can continue that tradition another year.
What plan do you have for the new year? I am not one to make many New Year Resolutions. I am always trying to do things better. I’ve been on a journey to attempt to eat healthier and shed some weight. My knee surgeon wants a few more pounds to disappear before the knee replacement surgery. Before my trip to Georgia, I had begun cleaning out some of Doug’s clothes and finding others that could use them. He had several sizes in the closet, as most of us do, and some had never been worn. I have given some of his personal items to his children. There were scrapbooks/pictures they had not seen in years and mementos from their childhoods they were happy to have. There are a few old videos I am anxious to convert to digital. There is still much to sort through and sometimes it is simply overwhelming, and I have to step away from the task. There is no deadline to get it accomplished, and certainly, there are things I will always treasure. My heart is slowly accepting that he no longer has a need for things and it is ok to let them go.
Please share your news with me at jchwagg@gmail.com or text or call 901246-8843. You can message me on Facebook as Clair Wagg.
Happy New Year to you and your family.