Smoke Signals and other news
Marshall County Sports got off to a great start this week with the preseason Jamboree, with every team playing two games as a warmup for the season. The Potts Camp Park was packed with players, parents, friends, and family. It was a day of playing ball, catching up with friends, and eating concession food. The Tballers, of course, are by far the cutest.
I lost a schoolmate last week, but she was so much more. We had been friends outside of school because our mothers worked together and were friends, and my grandmother, who was a local legend as a seamstress, made many of her clothes. I always watched in amazement as the picture on the pattern came to life. She once worked as a receptionist in my dentist’s office and once in my primary care doctor’s office. She helped me get my first job at Carrier - a three-month temporary job. Forty-plus years later, I retired from Carrier. We did not see each other often as the years passed, but when we did, it was like we had not been apart. I called her once accidentally, and we talked for over an hour. Her death was unexpected, although she was in the hospital for a procedure. She crossed my mind recently, and I thought I needed to call her, but as life goes, I did not. Now, I never can. Make those calls when someone comes to mind. You may not get another chance. When you run into someone and say, “We should have lunch sometime,” make it happen.
While at her funeral, one of my classmates reminded me we graduated from high school 55 years ago and suggested a get-together. Somehow, I was always involved in putting those together over the years. They may have been planned down to the last detail, or they may have been a luncheon where we met at a local restaurant, ordered what we wanted, and just chatted as long as the establishment would allow. We have had just our class attend, and we have done what has become known as “Decade Reunions,” where anyone who attended Byhalia High School could come. Now, when I think of these get-togethers, I pause to think of the ones who cannot join us this time either because they have passed away or their mental/physical health won’t allow it. As eager young high school graduates we felt invincible; now, not so much. Our hair is gray or gone, we may or may not have all our teeth, we may not remember what we were just about to say, or we can’t figure out the word we need to use. Some have had many surgeries to keep their bodies working. Some have fought cancer and other dreaded diseases. Some have children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Many have experienced tragedies. We were the athletes of our time and leaders in our schools and communities.
My grandson, Alan, a student at Mississippi State, had his 22nd birthday this week. He is home completing an internship, one of several he has done or will do before graduation. Saturday was the day we were to celebrate by going out to eat. Various things put that off until 8:30 p.m. I had decided not to go, but then I realized I was his only living grandparent, and I was perfectly capable of driving there and back. Off I went to celebrate. We had a great meal and enjoyed visiting the entire family—another reminder to attend those gatherings.
Please share your news with me at 901-246-8843, email jchwagg@gmail.com, or message me at Clair Wagg on Facebook.