Flowers for Mom

Mom, like many other Moms, always asked to be given her flowers while she was alive.  I am happy to say that we were glad to oblige her whenever we could.  I’m not sure exactly what date this picture was taken, but it looks like a typical Mother’s Day for our family.  Not unlike the Huxtables of Bill Cosby fame, we put on shows and the like to commemorate special occasions like birthdays and holidays.  The Mother’s Day celebration that stands out for me was the year we kids did all the cooking.  We set up the dining room as we imagined a really rich person would do, with only one place setting…complete with a bell for Mom to ring!  We were the chefs, servers and wait staff for a 5 or 6 course meal for one special lady of honor. As Mom finished one course, she would ring the bell and receive the second.  I remember my oldest brother draping a towel over his left arm to serve Mom. After dinner we presented cards and whatever gifts we could afford and a robust round of singing.  It was always so much fun to hear Mom read every card aloud comlete with do-overs if anything interrupted her flow!  Cards meant the world to her…cards and flowers.

Oh yes, she has receved many of each throughout the years…

And even grew her own…

Mom's Roses 1

Mom's Roses 2

One year, my oldest sister, Lyn, took Mom to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania for their:

Mother’s Day Weekend

Longwood Gardens

Longwood

Treat mom to a day of beauty, fine food and entertainment at Longwood Gardens. In addition to acres of fragrant and colorful spring blossoms, Longwood offers mom a host of delights. Besides being acres and acres of floral delight, it is a center of horticultural education and has a history that includes the Underground Railroad.

From their website http://www.longwoodgardens.org/ :

“There were no more staunch abolitionists than local Quakers John and Hannah Peirce Cox.  Their home “Longwood” was an ideal location along the Underground line since it was on the main road to Philadelphia from points south and west.  The Coxes opened their home to escaping slaves, feeding and clothing them and either keeping them overnight or sending them on to the next station.  The Cox homestead, which still stands along Route 1, included the land where the Longwood Meeting House was built.

Assisting slaves to escape, however, was illegal.  While all Quakers denounced slavery, not all Quakers approved of the Underground Railroad. Many Friends were disowned from their meetings for involvement in a “worldly concern”, slavery, including the Coxes.  Nor did they agree when the most fiery abolitionist preachers from the Northeast and elsewhere were brought to speak.  As the issue of slavery became more intense, the Society of Friends became divided, and many Friends were disowned by their Meetings, including the Coxes. In 1854, local abolitionists around Longwood formed a new Progressive Friends Meeting.  A year later, on land purchased from John Cox, these Quakers built their own Meeting House which came to be known as the Longwood Meeting of Progressive Friends.”

So here is another Mother’s Day, Mom.  I hope the day finds you surrounded by the flowers you love in the Gardens of Heaven. I can’t imagine anything we may have done over the years that would top that.

(left to right) Vickie, Yvette, Mom, Lyn

Yesterday, I received an e-mail from Michael Baisden announcing his 9th show anniversary at the Apollo theater in New York on July 14th, 2012.  As most of you know, that would have been Mozelle Fordham’s 90th birthday.   The thought of Mike’s celebration, takes me back to the fabulous celebrations we have had over the years for the birthday girl.  Starting with her 50th, we tried to make those ‘milestone’ birthdays special for her.  I have to say, that they were equally special for us.

But there is something else I remember when I think of Mom and Michael Baisden.  We started listening to his show regularly during the Jena 6 controversy.  and continued through Barak Obama’s campaign in 2007.  Mom looked forward to his totally positive and uplifting commentary.  The music was not hard to listen to, either.  So when the opportunity came to see Michael Baisden in person in Atlanta, we both couldn’t wait to go.  The show was good, albeit LOUD.  We saw Ledesi, Algebra, Lalah Hathaway…and Indie Arie was just a few feet away from us in the audience!

We had fun that night and continued to listen to the show and support Mr. Baisden.  Since my son-in-law worked on some projects for him (i.e. website, documentary of Love, Lust and Lies), he almost feels like a part of the family.  So on July 14th, join me in congratulating Michael Baisden for 9 years of good radio programming; and in saying Happy 90th Birthday to our favorite Mom.  I know she’ll hear us.   Vickie

Anniversary Announcement

Early this morning I read my Daily Devotional.  Though the scripture was actually Philippians 4:6-7, I always have ’147′ on my mind so I looked at the verses in context.  That led me to write down the following:

      Philippians 4:

1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and cared for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Nice, huh?  Reminds me of Mom, ‘my joy and crown’ who stood fast in the Lord, rejoicing always.  Comforting thought.  OK so I had my moment, put the paper aside, and went about my day.  As I sat down to eat breakfast, I overheard parts of a conversation my sister was having on the phone.  She was explaining the ‘peace of God’ we have found in Alabama, trying to convince her not to be afraid to move south from New Jersey.  It is quite inexplicable; it really does pass ‘all understanding’.

Here I go rejoicing…for following Mom to Alabama…for finding peace.  Thank you, Lord and Thank you Mom! Who knew???  He knew!!!

And that’s where Barry White comes in.  I just wanted to hear one song by Barry, My Everything, which was absolutely meant to be a secular song.  But I wanted to hear it spiritually, or with my spirit engaged, not as a romantic love song, but as a real song of love.  I ended up listening to several of his songs.  Enjoy my mini-concert below.

Until tomorrow, ‘my dearly beloved’.   Vickie

I love oatmeal…I eat it year ’round.  None of that packaged instant or even quick (though I do admit to liking the new Better Oats brand) for me.  I prefer the Old Fashioned style—also known as whole rolled oats. I cook it in the microwave…2 minutes…done! But I seldom have just plain oatmeal.  After cooking the bowl of oats with about a cup of oatmeal, half cup or so of water and a sprinkle of salt I can add a half cup of canned peaches and a dash of nutmeg, a little butter and sweetener to taste for a Peach Cobbler Oatmeal Supreme!

Cooked with sliced bananas in the bowl, I add a half teaspoon vanilla, butter and sugar to taste for a Banana Pudding Oatmeal Extravaganza!

Another favorite, Scrambled Eggwhite Oatmeal Surprise, is cooked with one or two eggwhites separated into the bowl of dry oats. Add a sprinkle of salt and enough water to barely cover it all.  Microwave for 2 minutes. Stir in only butter and maybe salt to taste after cooking, and you would not believe oatmeal could taste this good!

I think I started eating oatmeal regularly while livng with Mom.  But, although I love it, I don’t eat it every day.  There is only one thing I insist on having every day, a hot cup of Tetley tea!  I have it with a little cream and sugar, kind of like coffee.  Oh my goodness…it is soooo good.

I have more favorites, but I’ll save them for a later time.  In the mean time, feel free to rediscover oatmeal and hot tea.  BTW, I’ve been known to flavor my tea, as well.  Sometimes I use fruit juices instead of milk or cream…orange, raspberry, peach…all wonderful.  It’s not just for queasy tummies or other illnesses.  Try it.  I think you’ll be glad you did.

Vickie

Starting today, I will be posting SOMETHING every day!  YAYYYYY!!!

I will begin with my thoughts of the day and conclude with a repeat of some older posts I think might be relevant.

For those of you who don’t know, Mom and I were fans of all the singing and dancing reality shows. We watched them regularly, especially ‘Dancing With the Stars’. Last night I watched American Idol; and while I do not participate in the voting or the idol-like worship of the contestants the way some people do; I did enjoy the show. They sang all oldies so it was my kind of night. My favorite was Jessica Sanchez singing Joe Cocker’s  ’You Are So Beautiful’.  I didn’t particularly care for her first song of the night, ‘Proud Mary’, but it was like hearing the Joe Cocker standard for the first time when Jessica sang it as a beautiful ‘love ballad’.  I didn’t know the song could sound so good…

I NEED YOU!
Please send stories, photos, messages etc., to me via the ‘Contact’ on this website. These go directly to my e-mail address. If you want to talk to me on the phone, let me know in the email message. I will get back to you by phone (I’m sure I have the number:) I apologize that my home phone does not have an answering machine function, I have not subscribed to that service. Sorry. I do want to hear from you, however. So if you are reading this, please contact me! And remember, I love you because she loves you…and always will. Vickie

Let’s Get Re-Started!

My favorite story about my Mom took place in 1952 before I was born.  (In fact, she was pregnant with yours truly.)  The family lived on Burnet Street in New Brunswick, New Jersey.  Mom babysat for her friends at the time.  One hot summer day she decided to take the kids to the Raritan River, which was just across the street from the apartment, to cool off.  This was before air conditioning—in case some of you reading are too young to remember.

When she made it across the busy city street, she sat on the bank of the Raritan while one of the kids she was babysitting, Peter Hill,  swam in the cool waters of the river.  I imagine that he seemed to be enjoying himself, dipping in and out of the water.  But something happened…he was in trouble and seemed to be drowning!  Incredibly, my mother, without a moment’s hesitation, jumped into the water.  She reached out for Peter and somehow got him safely to shore.  Only then did she think about the fact that she couldn’t swim!  She started sinking and panicking; she felt her feet touch the bottom of the river bed.  We all know what she did next—she started praying!

Thankfully, there was someone there who rescued her or I wouldn’t be sitting here today telling this story!  I don’t know who it was, but I want to thank God and that person today for, literally, saving my mother’s and MY life.

This is the character of Mozelle Fordham.  It is just one example of her strength and bravery.

Won’t you join me and tell your stories, too?  Just register, log in, click on “Posts”, then “Add New” and start typing.  Once you are finished typing, click on “Publish”.  That’s it!  (You can preview your post prior to publishing if needed.)  Getting it down in writing is more important than grammar or spelling.  Posts can be edited so don’t be afraid to make mistakes.  Stories can be commented on so feel free to comment on this one.  Please–Let’s Get Started!

With love, Blog Administrator, Vickie

I found this video on the Good News Network, a website that reports ONLY good news.  The post reads “In Dubai, outside the world’s tallest building, the fountains were synchronized with Whitney’s signature hit, I Will Always Love You.”

The choreograpy of the water is amazingly moving…ethereal.  Enjoy

1 John 4:7

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

She provided us with an example of what this looks like in action!

Happy Valentine’s Day to all 

1:4:7

Here lately I’ve been finding words a little overwhelming.  Every time I get ready to post, my thoughts take me to parts unknown and I don’t end up getting anything in writing.  When that happens I find music that soothes me.  I don’t remember how I got there but I found a song today that I just had to post. I’ll let the songs do the talking for me…

Jaheim – Back Together Again                           

Note: Substitute 6 kids when he says “4″; substitute brother when he says “sister”; substitute Michael when he says “Julie”.

Along those same lines is the next song.  Some people I know didn’t care for the song, but I loved it for the memories it brought back to me of Mom and Dad dancing wall-to-wall…

Dancing With My Father

         luther vandross dance with my father again

Finally, in honor of the love she gave to us, I have to post the next song.  Second only to the love given to us by God Himself through Jesus Christ…

Jaheim Jesus is Love  

CLICK HERE FOR SONG ”We Gather Together”

This is for me, without a doubt, the hardest of all Thanksgiving days. Melancholy has taken over; I cannot enjoy even the simplest of things that used to make this day special. Last year and even the Thanksgiving after Pop passed was not this hard.

That being said…I have a renewed reverance for this day. Unfortunately, we don’t always take the time to be genuinely thankful. For Mom, it was a daily celebration. Even when her own world was falling apart, she knew how to be thankful for the blessings that OTHER people were receiving. For her, every blessing was a big deal…that’s why she bragged on all of us!!! It sometimes sounded like she thought a person was so great because they had done something so seemingly simple. That wasn’t bragging, though…THAT WAS GRATITUDE!!! Yes, every day was Thanksgiving Day for Mom. So I count this day as blessed because it reminds us all to be more thankful, to follow the example of reverance that Mom set. Thank you, Lord, for that.

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
(Php 4:4-7 KJV)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ”Fly Again”

I “bing-ed” Mom’s name today and this website came up!  She has arrived!

Among other listings, was the guestbook page (complete with her photo) on legacy.com from last year.  They offered (and I accepted) an opportunity to reopen the pages for 24 hours at a cost of $2.95.  I don’t know why I couldn’t resist the temptation to see the comments written there.  If any of you are interested, it will be open until midnight tomorrow, July 26th, 2011.  I hope some of you will be inspired to make some comments or share a story.  In that way, Mozelle Fordham will continue to be an inspiration and positive influence in the world. 

http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/app/guestbook.aspx?n=mozelle-fordham&pid=141075855&cid=full

Light...of the...World

England Dan John Ford Coley…Love is the Answer