Like many of you, I too have been subjected, and attempting to adhere to the “Stay At Home” executive order, imposed by our governors. I pray for everyone who has been subjected to many of the prevailing issues and cares of these present days. I also pray that you all are healthy and remain so during the duration of this novel event. I extend my condolences to anyone who’s had a family member transition for whatever reason. I must say, it has been a challenging time for most of us. However, I do acknowledge that this has been a fantastic time for those of us who are retired.
I write today, simply to break the silence that exists on our website and mostly to encourage you, “My Classmates”. Ordinarily, someone would have reached out and welcomed our newest classmate to join us, Lavone Cohen Baucha. Welcome Lavone, I hope that you’ll receive additional greetings from others as well. Should you require additional assistance with our site, please contact Cherlyn Harris or Larry Milligan. They’re our designated administrators.
On March 22nd, a Pastor in Virginia indicated in his sermon, he believed that “God is bigger that this dreaded virus, and announced that he wasn’t afraid to die. On April 4th, his daughter notified the congregation, he and his wife had tested positive. They both transitioned. Families across the south were devastated by tornadoes “Easter Sunday”, which stretched from Texas to Mississippi. The path continued further east across the Georgia coast and northward towards Virginia. Much of the weather that modulates across Memphis reaches North Carolina eventually. While we’re presently dealing with tornadoes, I also have to prepare for the June 1st hurricane season. Thanks again to those of you who reach out to inquire about the safety of your east coast classmates during the season.
Back in the day, I used to really turn my head, when folks would say “We’re living in our last days and times”. I thought I was too young and light-hearted to ever attempt to understand. I have to admit, I better understand now, why those words were uttered. I’m not a Bible scholar, but Psalm 90:10 (NIV) states “Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures: yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.” Please don’t misunderstand me, I have not developed a “Dooms Day or Woe Is Me Mentality “ and my mental and physical health are courageous. Longevity abounds in most of our individual DNA, so we should maintain a joyous attitude of communications and be more supportive of each other. In spite of any indications or expectations to the contrary some of us are approaching our 68th birthday, while others have reached their 69th. Reflect upon “three score and ten, as we approach our scheduled “50th Year Class Reunion” date, for this novel event too shall pass....
I choose to speak to those, like myself, who do not use Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or other forms of social media for communication. Social media can be empowered by individuals to pass along sole issues and judgments, without an adjudicator of the truth. I’d rather call you; send an email or a text message to communicate. You may find me on LinkedIn, but it’s an inactive account. Let’s each reach out to others to spread some encouragement and good cheer to one another. Call a classmate, if only to say "hello, you were on my mind...just checking on you". What do you have to lose??? With your prayers and well wishes, we’ll see each other at the reunion and our 80th Birthday Bash….as your strength endures…..”Stay at home” and “Stay Safe”…Here’s a blast from the past for encouragement….
Kenneth: Thank you for your wonderful words of encouragement. You are right we are all reaching the "four score and ten" year mark. Most of us are blessed to have children, grandchildren, and some great grandchildren. We can thank almighty God for allowing us to live such full lives. Just like the pastor you quoted I am NOT afraid to die. I am promised eternal life with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. TO ALL CLASSMATES: I am available to share my faith with anyone who needs to make sure they are ready to die and meet God. Call me 325-829-2221. Don't hesitate to leave a message if I miss your call. I WILL CALL YOU BACK. You may email me: punch2success@aol.com I also have a Facebook page "Living for Christ. I post a new column each Monday https://www.facebook.com/motivatetionalspeaker/
To ALL CLASSMATES: Please "like" my page and you will receive a notification when I post a new message. If you have friends and family that are not sure where they go after death share my phone, email, or Facebook page with them. Everyone must prepare for death. This COVID-19 virus is ending lives every day. It is our responsibility to share our salvation message with the world. Anyone who wants to accept Jesus as their Savior, call me or send a private message. I am praying and hoping to see each of you in paradise.
In the central place of every heart, there is a recording chamber; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope and courage, you are young....~ Samuel Ullman ~
Happy Birthday James, enjoy your days of celebration. May you be blessed and remain young in heart....
"Thanks Ruby"
Thank you for your response, dedication and sincerity. Your message is vibrant and resourceful. I pray that you receive additional communications concerning your ministry. Hopefully the silence on this website will cease to exist....Stay safe..
Hey Everybody. I have not posted a response in quite a while. First I want to welcome our most recent classmate to join this website. Lavone, I am excited that you are part of this group know. Please enjoy going through the posts to get updated on other classmates and events that we have been a part of. Enjoy your trip down memory lane and by all means groove to the wonderful music added by Kenneth Davis.
Thank you for all the birthday wishes: Bonnie, Maurice, Kenneth, Robert, and John. We have a lot of birthdays in April. Sooooo, Happy Birthday, Bonnie, Maurice, James, Gerald, Almeida, and Rubystein. I thought I would get a chance to see a lot of you last month at our Harlem House fundraiser. We had to cancel through no fault of our own. Hopefully we will have an opportunity to reschedule but we know that God is in control regardless of the circumsatances. I pray that everyone remains healthy until we are able to gather again. Best Wishes.
Hello BTW Class of 1970, I hope all is well with all of you and your familes, I want to wish all of my classmates born in April and May, a happy and blessed birthday, I am in support of the reunion commitees decision to put the reunion off until it is safe for a big gathering of individuals in one place, at this trying times in our lives we need to pray for the whole world,as well as for all our families, because there is no respecter of persons in this pandemic, as in God's word (Acts10:34-35), for this was Least Expected Mat.24:44 ( Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh, but always Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknoledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Prov3;5,6). Stay safe my brothers and sisters,, God loves you and so do I. Be blessed.
Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in you temperance and self-control, diligence and strength of will, cheerfulness and content, and a hundred virtues which the idle will never know.
~ Charles Kingsley ~
Happy Birthday Gerald ! May your days of celebration be joyous and blessed during this adverse current event called "Safer at Home". Back in the days of our time with the TANG, shelter in place was the equivalent during certain scenarios, so it's nothing you can't survive. Just part of the loop, much like when you played the French Horn. Here's a player composing loops to reflect and assist you with your celebrations of temperance, self-control, diligence, strength of will, cheerfulness and a hundred virtues...."Don't stop till you get enough"....
There is no governing structure for a pandemic and little more than vague political pressure to ensure limited access to life-sparing tools and medicines for more than half the world population. ~Laurie Garrett~
The Covid-19 virus in combination with its present restrictions is a conversation many of us are having. To paraphrase Laurie, the vague political governing structure and its limited access to life sparing tools and medicines continues to pressure our population. During an exchange with a classmate, it was requested that I research the history of the song “Precious Lord”, written by Thomas Dorsey and post the results. Their reasoning for the request: “at this time in our lives, we need the Lord to take our hand and lead us to where he wants us to go”. Commonly sang during funerals, the song was actually written during a time of physical, mental and emotional transitions in his life. Thomas was living within his own personal “shelter in place”. Here are some excerpts from an autobiography posted by Margo McKenzie, combined with a PBS-This Far by Faith production:
The Dorsey family relocated from rural Villa Rica, GA to Atlanta in 1908. There the family struggled economically. Dorsey's mother took work as a domestic servant; his father curtailed his pastoring and worked as a laborer. Young Thomas Dorsey describes feeling alienated from school and church during his first years in Atlanta. He was demoted a grade and ostracized by the other children. With church no longer the focal point of his parents' lives, his connection to organized religion waned. Dorsey found refuge in downtown Atlanta's black community. He spent his afternoons and evenings watching vaudeville performances. He began studying piano and organ.
In 1916, he left Atlanta for good. In Chicago, Dorsey adopted the name Georgia Tom and found work as a session musician. He landed his first big break in 1924, playing with Ma Gertrude Rainey and her Wild Cats Jazz Band. One night, onstage, Dorsey noticed “unsteadiness” in his playing. The unsteadiness grew worse, leaving him unable to practice, write or perform. It persisted for two years. Dorsey visited doctors, sought treatment, took time off. Nothing worked. He considered suicide. At twenty-one, his hectic and unhealthy schedule led to a nervous breakdown. He convalesced back home in Atlanta. There, his mother admonished him to stop playing the blues and “ serve the Lord.” He ignored her and returned to Chicago, playing with Ma Rainey. Then, he began to think more seriously about his faith. He visited a faith healer, Bishop H.H. Haley. Dorsey described to his biographer, Michael Harris, how Haley pulled a "live serpent" out of his throat. "Brother Dorsey," Bishop Haley reportedly said, "there is no reason for you to be looking so poorly and feeling so badly. The Lord has too much work for you to let you die." From then on, Dorsey vowed to do the Lord's work. Dorsey began developing a sacred music based on the secular blues. It featured syncopated notes in an eight-bar blues structure; but instead of themes of defiance in the face of despair - the theme most common in the blues - this new music told stories of hope and affirmation. Dorsey described it as "good news on either side.
Less than a year later, however, Dorsey was back in the secular blues business full-time. His "gospel music" met so much resistance from pastors who considered it "devil's music," that he found it easier to play the blues straight. He married his sweetheart, Nettie Harper, but in 1925, a second breakdown left Dorsey unable to play music. After his recovery three years later, Dorsey committed himself to composing sacred music. However, mainstream churches rejected his songs. In August 1932, Dorsey’s life was thrown into crisis when his wife and son died during childbirth. In his grief, he turned to the piano for comfort.
The tune he wrote, “Take My Hand, Precious Lord,” came, he says, direct from God. Dorsey co-founded the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses in 1933. Six years later, he teamed with Mahalia Jackson, and the team ushered in what was known as the “Golden Age of Gospel Music.” Dorsey himself became known as the father of gospel music. He died in 1993. Without Thomas A. Dorsey there would be no Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, Whitney Houston or Kirk Franklin. Thomas Dorsey was a man who found himself conflicted between the work of man and the work of God. God did use Thomas Dorsey and by obeying the voice of God and utilizing his gifts, Thomas A. Dorsey, revolutionized sacred church music and ushered in a new genre: gospel.....
During this pandemic we, like Thomas, may have found ourselves conflicted between the work of man and the work of God. With church no longer the focal point for some, our grandkids being home schooled, feeling alienated and ostracized, some of us may have considered suicide. For some this virus has thrown our lives into a crisis. However, “the Lord has too much work for you to let you die”. The unsteadiness of these times may cause us to think more seriously about our faith. Let us, in our own special way, continue to do the Lord’s work. While we await relief, let us reach out to others and provide encouragement as best we can. Please reflect and joyously experience the spirited works of Thomas Dorsey and Mahalia Jackson.
Help us to be ever faithful gardeners of the spirit, who know that without darkness nothing comes to birth, and without light nothing flowers. ~ May Sarton ~
Happy Birthday Bonnie! May you have a bountiful day of celebrations. Surely we’d be on the verge of lionizing you as “Your Honor” were we present. You my friend have always been a faithful gardener of the Spirit which exists within the “ Class of 1970”. We’ve all experienced a moment of darkness at sometime during the past 67 years of our lives. But your exhilarating spirit has provided cosmic rays of light creating blushing bouquets of flowers, for all of us to gather and share. Having been a percussionist in your early days, you’ve always marched to your own rhythm. I've found a way to march and celebrate with you….Enjoy !
God's grace is amazing! We're saved by grace - God's undeserved favor - and we live by grace, which is also God's power in our lives to do what we could never do in our own strength. And it's all because God is love, and He loves us unconditionally, constantly and completely. ~Joyce Meyer~
Happy Birthday Ruby ! Here's wishing you an abundant day of blessings. Let your day of celebration include bestowed gifts of favor, grace and unconditional love. May your day be as fruitful as your dedication to the ministry. At the end of todays journey, may you reflect upon its numerous blessings and simply say Ta ta you Jesus....Enjoy my friend...
Thank you for the warm birthday wishes. You do an amazing job keeping up with everyone and making sure we are all informed. Keep sending up your smoke signals. We need them.
Much love, Ruby
People are increasingly realizing that what they eat is important. You can't put junk food in your body and be healthy. All sorts of problems can develop, like diabetes, heart disease, obesity, strokes. Gardening not only helps with exercise and mental health, but it can improve diet as well. ~ Monty Don ~
"Warrior Nation", just a few words and videos to distract you from any passivity you may be experiancing at the moment....gardening has become one of my hobbies during retirement (this is my garden). I totally agree with the words of Monty Don and if you should need a co-signer, please stop, look and listen to the words of Ron Finley and LeadFarmer 73.
Gardening is “Gangsta”. Gardening is the most therapeutic and defiant act that you can do. ~ Ron Finley ~
Happy Birthday all classmates born in May. Kenneth, thank you for the beautiful pictures and update on your garden. I love the garden posts. Probably one of my most rewarding past times was gardening. I have not done it in years, you certainly have inspired me to go and play in the dirt. As always thanks for your music selections. Take care, be safe and healthy classmates.
Thanks, Kenny, for uplifting inputs. These times we are living in is very much in need of some uplifting input and good spirits. You were missed. Your last input on gardening touch me very much because Nightingale and I have been planting Gardner’s for number of years and we are doing it again this year. We have a little competition going on as to who has the best garden. Look at our garden we just started this year (This is just the first phase, wait a few months to see results.). I like to put out a challenge for all to "SHOW YOUR GARDEN". You do not need to put a lot money just something simple.
My Garden (Could not rotate it so you need turn your head to the left.)
Hey John, I did not know you had the gardening bug. It's rewarding but a lot of work. There's nothing like playing in the dirt to relax you. I think it might be too late for me to start one now, but I promise you I am going to plant a fall garden, working on my soil preparation now. Thanks friend for more inspiration. Kenneth has been sharing his garden pictures with me for several years now. I can't wait to see more of yours
Birthday Greetings to Will Boyd! Will hasn’t joined us on the website. I saw Will at a funeral for Larry McAfee some time ago. I called to acknowledge today’s event, however his voice mailbox was full. Should you folks in Memphis see him in the future, ask him to join us.
The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just on the body, but the soul. ~ Alfred Austin ~
Thanks Ruby, Patricia, James and John, for remaining vocal on the website. Great job and example of self sustainment John and Cloyd! Gardening doesn’t have to be an extravagant affair, but as Alfred Austin says, it’s good for the body and soul. That’s a great challenge John and I look forward to seeing the results posted on the website. I’d also wish to extend your challenge to include the ladies. Patricia mentioned that she has an interest in playing in the dirt. Here’s a patio shot for a little inspiration.
You won’t get good results without flowers to attract the birds, bees and butterflies for pollination. For those who would like to join us in this challenge, take a look at the attached video to see just how simple and inexpensive it is to get started. Once you’ve gotten started, the sky’s the limit!!! It's not too late Patricia....
Today I would have had my graduation ceremony however God had other plans. At 65 years old two and a half years ago I opened a new chapter and began a new journey in my life. The journey was not always easy there was many challenges from health issues, new learning technology to just being the oldest in a class. But along the way I was respected by my young friends and I embraced them and encouraged them to stay focused. I want to thank my family and friends for all their support and understanding when I needed to just vent. So having earned a degree in Criminal Justice with honor's and a 4.0 GPA. Criminal Justice a field of study that has always been my passion, I have come to the end of this journey and closed this chapter. But I am only turning the page to the next chapter and a new journey. Stay tuned
Victims of crime and the wider community deserve a grown-up debate on our criminal justice system and how we can make it work - for those within it and for those it protects. ~ Sadiq Khan ~
Born October 8, 1970 Sadiq Aman Khan is a British politician who has served as the Mayor of London since 2016. We'd just graduated high school in May when he was born and many of us Warriors were still restless in October. With your Criminal Justice Degree and the new page you're about to embark upon, maybe you'll be the grown-up attending the wider community deserved debate Sadiq mentions. To quote you verbatim "But along the way I was respected by my young friends and I embraced them and encouraged them to stay focused". If you can continue to influence those younger, you'll have done a necessary requirement. I'm proud of your accomplishment and I encourage you to continue your acceleration to the next level. If Sadiq can become Mayor of London, 50 years after his birth, you'll accomplish your next endeavor, as the "Proud Warrior" you've become....to God be the glory....
Congratulations Ms. Marsha, I am proud of you as a leader at your age and still paving the way. Also, being an inspiration to us that is your age. Keep it moving girl, and go as far as you can. Now I can say "my classmate and friend Marsha is another person I can brag about".
Mother's Day is a bittersweet day for many of us. We all have mothers, but some of us have lost them. ~ Faith Salie ~
Happy Mothers Day to all of my devoted sisters in the "Class of 1970". I extend the same wishes to my sisters who have become dedicated caregivers of those less fortunate. May you remain continuously blessed forever…..
A mother isn't someone who does it on purpose; mothers are who they are, and just by existing, they affect the way other people negotiate with the environment and with themselves. ~ Arca ~
Friends can help each other. A true friend is someone who lets you have total freedom to be yourself - and especially to feel. Or, not feel. Whatever you happen to be feeling at the moment is fine with them. That's what real love amounts to - letting a person be what he really is. ~ Jim Morrison ~
Happy Birthday Felippa ! What a wonderful classmate and friend you’ve been during our lifetime. As you celebrate your day, I pray that you receive spiritual, physical and financial blessings beyond measure. Each of us could use a blessing these days….Jim says “Friends can help each other and a true friend is someone who lets you have total freedom to be yourself.” Last year, I wished you a Gladys Knight kind of day and “I hoped that you danced” to celebrate. This year, I want you to dance with Gladys again, “Just a Little”….as Jim says “Whatever you happen to be feeling at the moment is fine”…..enjoy your day and cut a rug for me…..be encouraged during these confined days....
It's tough growing up where I grew up. My family is very small and really tight. Just being around the neighborhood, my brothers were always around. I didn't want to be in any trouble because I knew my mom or brothers would find out. I didn't want to hurt their feelings. I just tried to do everything right.
~ Derrick Rose ~
Happy Birthday Edward ! Dispite the current circumstances, I wish you a humorous day of celebration. May showers of blessings fall upon you as you celebrate this very special day of your birth.You and I share the distinction of being born as the middle brother and I think we can relate to Derricks words. Trouble had a way of finding us though, but we tried to do everything right. As the days approach concerning the transitions of Helen and Oliver, just know that Louise, Ron and yourself are still within the prayers of many. Continue to try and do everything right based upon the examples Oliver & Helen provided. At the end of the day, relax and enjoy a vision of peacefulness at "Sunset Bay", composed by the "Braxton Brothers"......stay safe my Brother...
Kenneth, I appreciate the kind words. You surely hit home all the time. I have never responded, so I said I will today. Thanks for the kind words and thanks again. I hope you are during fine. GOD BLESS AND STAY SAFE. Edward
Time, which changes people, does not alter the image we have retained of them. ~ Marcel Proust ~
Happy Birthday Robbin ! May you begin this day and everyday with a smile on your face, warm thoughts in your mind, happiness in your soul and a heart filled with loving kindness for all. May your day also be filled with blessings and moments, which become joyful pearls of eternal bliss, to proudly wear during your celebration. Marcel stated that time changes people, but doesn’t alter the image we have retained of them. His quote has caused me to collect these words to describe how I remember my image of you, at this time. So, during these challenging times, keep a smile on your face, warm thoughts in your mind, happiness in your soul and your heart filled with loving kindness for all. After the celebration, pull up a recliner and reflect on a "Patti LaBelle" kind of day….you’ll truly be able to say " I Can’t Complain "….be safe,be blessed and "Be Yourself "…..
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
