My Mother, the Traveler

My Mother, a true southern belle

Mommy's warm brown eyes showed me love every day

My sweet southern belle Mama, Katherine Sue (Sue Dee)

left a legacy of faith, love, and laughter.  

She was born and raised in Sumter, South Carolina, 

content to never leave her hometown.  

Her family was poor, and her mom and dad died 

when she was a young girl. 

Her first husband was murdered right before her eyes.  

A few years later, she met my Daddy when he was stationed at 

Shaw Air Force Base. 

They soon married, had a darling baby girl (me!), 
and five months later
they were on a train heading for California.  

Mom's first trip across country.  Mine too.  

Before flying was in, traveling cross country 

via trains, buses and automobiles was the norm.

My Mommy, the beauty queen,
in the backyard of our 2-bedroom house in the 50's
Downey, California

When I was fifteen, Mom got up enough nerve to 

climb aboard a Greyhound bus in Los Angeles, 

along with me and my fourteen-year-old brother, 

and set out east to Surfside, South Carolina for the summer.

To most of you, that's not a big deal.  

But as I look back, I know that those two journeys for Mom 

was a very big deal.  

She was shy, fearful, a worrier, and a home-body.  

She was happy staying home, taking care of John and me, 

cleaning, ironing, cooking, 

taking us to church every Sunday ... 
all the things that were important to her.

But there were moments when she had to 

lose sight of her safe shore and dive into a new ocean. 

Yay, Mom!

When she died at the young age of sixty-six,
(heart issues and Multiple Sclerosis) 

a big piece of my life was taken from me.  

I was going through a divorce,

so I took refuge in God and 
raising my two wonderful children.

Mom isn't far from me; 

she just moved to heaven where I will one day join her.  

I know she is dancing and singing with Jesus, 

talking her head off, as usual, 

and making everyone laugh without even trying.  

That's my sweet southern Mama in a nutshell.
There's much more, but I'll leave the rest in my
Memory Box.

My message today: 

Wherever your mother may be, near or far, 

take some time to reminisce of times gone by.  

If she's still with you, ask her some questions, 

because when she's gone, it will be too late.  

I have so many questions I wish I had asked about her childhood, her younger years, her thoughts on topics-of-the-hour.  

I knew she loved Tom Jones and The Beatles.  

She sang Morning Has Broken and 

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross 

when she ironed and prepared dinner. 

Her first love was Jesus.

To all of you mothers--and YOUR mothers--

I wish you oceans of Mother's Day blessings!

www.sharonleaf.com

Put a LITTLE GRAVEL in Your TRAVEL...Lady Travels on Highway 378 to Myrtle Beach

Home of Josh Turner, one of my favorite country singers
Highway 378

Makes me wanna take a back road

Makes me wanna take the long way home...

(a Tim McGraw song)

Last week, my cousin, Vernon Roy, and I took a road trip to Myrtle Beach.  Highway 378 is a road that has been around years before the interstates were built.  I drive 378 from Lexington to Sumter because I prefer roads and highways to the faster interstates.  Why?  Because you get the feel of the countryside and the little towns along the way.  And at my young age of 67, I'm in no hurry to get to the next town.  I enjoy the moment.  Try it.  You'll like it.

FYI:  Highway 378 will take you all the way to Myrtle Beach.

My last trip to MB was three months ago with my cousin, Ronnie; we were meeting our cousins, Judy and Bettie, for lunch.  This time the trip with Vernon was more somber.  We were meeting Bettie at the hospital to visit Judy who recently had a major stroke and was paralyzed.  We were greeted by Judy's smile and her funny stories about her stay in the hospital.  Then we laughed about the time ...

...  I was in sixth grade and my family drove from California to South Carolina for a three-week Christmas vacation.  I stayed a few days in Sumter with Judy, and when her mother announced we were having fried chicken for dinner, I followed her outside, thinking we were going to walk down the road to the local Piggly Wiggly to buy a chicken.   Suddenly she grabbed an ax and I watched in horror as she proceeded to chop off a chicken's head (needless to say, that evening I had a difficult time eating one of their pets)... 

... The laughter we shared gave us strength to get through the heartache of seeing our cousin lying helpless in a hospital bed.  Before we said our good-byes, I asked Judy, "May we pray for you?"  As I prayed, peace filled the room, and our tears felt like tears of hope.  We are believing for Judy's miracle from God.

Travel TiP:  Laughter AND Prayer is good for the soul.  Remember that the next time you visit someone in the hospital.

The two hour drive back to Sumter gave Vernon and I some 'cousin time' to walk down memory lane.    As we drove along, something felt familiar.   Then suddenly out of nowhere,  a big sign on the right side of the highway caught my attention. "Josh Turner!"** I exclaimed.  Vernon quickly asked, "Do you want me to pull over so you can take a picture?"  Vernon has gotten to know me quite well since I moved to South Carolina seven years ago.  Although we only get together a few times a year, he has learned to read my body language, especially when I pull out my iPhone to take a picture...a dead give-away.

Travel TiP:  Take time to smell the roses and read the signs--and take pictures!  It's the little things that mean a lot, and I thank Vernon for having the patience to pull over for me to click about ten shots of this sign.  Yes, rich and famous people are born in small southern towns.  And I feel that this sign was a smile from God, letting us know that the whole world is in His hands, especially our sweet cousin, Judy.

By faith

we understand that the entire universe

was formed by God's command,

that what we now see

 did not come from anything that can be seen.

Hebrews 11:8-10 NLT

You may apply all above Travel TiPs to any state or country you visit.

I wish you oceans of blessings and smooth sailing for your Autumn days

www.sharonleaf.com

** BTW: Quick story:  The first time Jacquie came to visit me seven years ago (before she moved to Lexington),  I accidentally took Highway 378 to Myrtle Beach, which takes twice as long as driving on I-20east...but hey, it was my first time driving to MB!  Jacquie and I did see the Josh Turner sign, but that was before I had a smart phone, and I never thought I'd be traveling down that road again.  But here's the proof!  *smile*

Put a little gravel in YOUR travel

Traveling to the Clubhouse Pool in Gracie-the-Golfcart

Clubhouse pool where sunshine abounds

I'm having too much fun at the pool this summer, meeting new neighbors, splashing with the kids, but most of the time I mind my own business...swim my laps, then quietly drive away in Gracie the Golf Cart.  But the day my Aunt Eunice joined me poolside was a day to be reckoned with.  I didn't have any choice; she just showed up at my front door.

   "Hey, Sha-ren!  I just got back from Florida and thought I'd stop by before I drive home to Sumter," she announced as she dropped her large satchel on my freshly swiffered floor.

   "Wow, Auntie, you look so--tan!" I said.

   "Thanks, darlin'.  I went on a long cruise with Betty White," she said, then looked me up and down.  "What are ya doin' in that bathing suit?"

 "Oh, I'm a swimmer now!  Every day.  An hour of laps," I bragged.
 
   Eunice picked up her satchel that looked at least fifty years old.  "I'll go change in the bedroom; I want to swim too!"

   What could I say?  She zumba-ed with me, once.  So why couldn't she swim with me, once?

   I think I looked quite matronly in my pink flowered one-piece, but I've become fearless in my sixties, not allowing a slight overgrown belly keep me from splashing my summer away.  But Aunt Eunice was downright challenging. I didn't know they made swim suits that...well...flowing.

   We arrived at the pool at eleven o'clock, early enough to pick my favorite spot in the corner next to the ladder where I can easily slide in the pool unnoticed and begin my routine.  But that wasn't good enough for Eunice.  "Let's sit right in the middle of the action.  I love making new friends," she said as she threw her towel over the lounge, then strutted her stuff over to the deep end.

   I started to warn Eunice that she was going in the deep end, but it was too late.  She jumped in, curling her plumpy body into a cannon ball.  The kids didn't see her coming, but their mothers did.  As she hit the water with the largest splash the clubhouse pool has ever witnessed, the mother of three yelled as Eunice came up for air, "Lady!  What do you think you are doing?  No diving allowed!  And you got my new summer reading book wet!"

   "Darlin', that's no dive...that's a cannon-ball!" Eunice corrected as she dog-paddled to the other end of the pool where the kids were splashing.

   "Don't worry," I apologized to the mother whom I had just met a few days before, "she'll be out of the pool in no time; she's too old to last more than ten minutes."  The mother turned and gave me a dirty look after Aunt Eunice's third cannon-ball.  In the meantime, her kids were laughing and carrying on while Eunice taught them how to cannon-ball.

   An hour later, still waiting for Aunt Eunice to slow down,  I learned a few things about getting older.  One, you can still swim, dog-paddle, and cannon ball non-stop for an hour or more.  Two, after you teach the mother's children how to maneuver a mean cannon-ball, she will be your friend forever.  Why?  Because perfectly coiffed mom didn't have to get in the pool and get her hair wet.

   Too soon, Aunt Eunice was on her way home to Sumter, but promised to return for another day of cannon-balling with her new friends.  Guess there will be a second time after all. *smile*

Aunt Eunice
Miss South Carolina 1946
(notice the resemblance)

Aunt Eunice has a blog at:  www.sharonleaf.com

I Tripped...oops...Traveled Down Memory Lane

Cemetery (1780) where my maternal grandparents and family members rest.

We may run, walk, stumble, drive, or sail, but let us never lose sight of the reason for the journey, 

or miss a chance to see a rainbow on the way.

The other day I took a road trip to Sumter, the town where I was born, to spend the day with my cousin, Vernon Roy.  After Daddy's passing a few weeks ago, I had a longing to visit the cemetery where my mother's family was laid to rest.  I never knew my grandparents; they died in their late thirties when my Mom was still a teenager.  As Vernon Roy and I shared memories of our younger years, we realized that our family had a few interesting skeletons in their closets.  The more we talked and compared notes, the more intrigued we became.  And curious.  But in the end, we agreed that no matter what the skeletons were, we had wonderful parents who loved us dearly.  And isn't that all that really matters?  

I came to the conclusion that I am happy with the memories I have.  No need to stir the pot, so to speak.  But I have to admit that I was challenged to write a novel about the whole scenario ... something like, "Return to Peyton Place"  ... oops ... I mean "Return to Sleepy Sumter."  Don't worry, cousins, I'm not going there!  *smile*

Have you discovered any skeletons in your closets lately?  Does it make you curious to find out more, or have you decided to keep the closet door locked?  If you decide to unlock the door, make sure you take your friend, Jesus, along so He can keep your heart protected.  I have no idea why I'm writing this, but these are my random thoughts for today, so there must be someone out there in Lady Leaf Land who needs to hear this.

Grandmother Viola Geddings
Gravestone created by their son, Roy Geddings

I wish you smooth sailing and oceans of blessings.  Stay on course, and may Jesus remain the Captain of your ship.

My child, don't lose sight of common sense and discernment.

Hang on to them, for they will refresh your soul.

They are like jewels on a necklace.

Proverbs 3:21-22

www.sharonleaf.com

I love book signings!

I had a blast at my book signing at Books A Million in Sumter, SC, the town where I was born.  The feeling of sheer nostalgia filled my senses as I drove past Shaw Air Force Base where my Mom and Dad met and fell in love sixty-eight years ago.


As I shared my story of Lady and the Sea, I could see their eyes light up at the spoken word.  One woman is taking Lady on her cruise next week; another will read Lady while convalescing from her surgery she's having tomorrow ... I love their stories too.  And I met several young women, Shannon and Jessica, who's passion is writing.  I encouraged them: "Don't give up.  Write your heart and soul.  Your dream can come true!"


The Books A Million manager invited me back for more book signings, so I'll be returning to my home town in the near future to meet more friendly folks.


Writing is one of my passions, but encouraging readers and inspiring writers I meet along the way is the frosting on my cake.  


Now I must go and finish enjoying my Mother's Day with the man of my dreams.  Actually, ladies, he is the frosting on my cake, if you know what I mean.  *wink*


I wish you smooth sailing and oceans of blessings for the coming week.  And I hope you're having a special Mother's Day.  Sharing my day with my daughter, Jacquie, after being apart for five years, is another dream come true for me.  Hang on to those dreams ... they DO come true!