So, today would be my mothers 93rd birthday.  She shared that day with her "daddy" who called her "sugo' lily".  He actually wrote a poem about her that I had framed for her many years ago.  Good stuff.

So, happy birthday, Sugo' Lilly!

But, today I shall share about the man you called "Daddy".

Seemed fitting since it is his birthday also and I just spent time with his youngest daughter, my dear Aunt Marlene and her daughter, my dear cousin, Teresa, down in North Carolina. We always have great fun and, for me, it is 'coming home' to my southern roots...so different than my 'Chicago' roots yet so very vital to WHO I am...love it...love them!

Anyway, spent some time looking at old photos, etc. as well as A TON of my granddaddy's writings. Thought it might be fun to share a couple with you.

Granddaddy to ME, was a 'character'.  He called me "Girl" and he called my brother "Boy".  When he met my boyfriend, he said, "Well, Girl, is this the Boy?"

I said "yep".

Deep stuff.

He never was certain of his birth date because his folks died when he was young and he and his siblings were moved about, separated, etc. One must respect the way he "made it".  He kinda' raised himself up and taught himself how to 'live';  had a rough and tumble young life, said he rode with the Calvary when about 16 (and could tell us where Teddy Roosevelt buried treasure), had to be taught to read, rose through the ranks to become a railroad conductor, was 'born again' and then began to write and write and write poetry that rhymed and usually ended in that "beautiful heavenly home above".

The poem I am sharing here (just as he wrote it) was a titch different and seemed fitting for this time in history.  It certainly is NOT politically correct in today's world but it gives a snapshot of history. It represents the journey we were, are and CONTINUE to travel which is precisely what makes it so interesting to share.

It is entitled "Boy, You Can"?!?

Boy You Can

Come here Lad and set by me

I've something to say to thee

Its mostly about you in this life that is to come

For there is great things to do

And you might be the one to get them done.

All of our great men was once a lad just like you

So if you have determination you can do great things too.

You could be the President of this great land.

Yes boys like you grow to be great men.

But listen son the task is not easy

What you have got to do is to get awfully busy.

Study hard ever way so when you grow up big someday

Who knows you might lead this country with all its ills

To Peace on Earth and lots of good will.

You know these trying times that has beset this world

It needs someone with knowledge unheard

So you might grow up to be just that man

If you put your shoulders to the wheel and push as hard as you can.

Dow C. Broyles

So, there you go....with warm nostalgia (and a chuckle), "GIRL" shares "BOY YOU CAN"!?!   

Made me think of President Obama's "Yes, WE can"....which led to wondering what Granddaddy would have done with Obama...he was a dyed-in-the-wool Southern Democrat who struggled with a Catholic Kennedy but ended up voting for him.  When I asked Marlene what he would have done with an African American Obama, she said she just didn't know.

Neither do I.

And then there would be Hillary...oh, my!

BUT, I DO know that instead of seeing this poem as an example of how it should NOT have been I choose to use it as an example of what now IS.

Of how far we HAVE come.

I choose to see it as an example of how we can choose to let our roots keep us still and stop us from growing OR choose to let our roots anchor us, feed us, grow us.

"BOY, you can" GROWS to...

..."GIRL, you can" GROWS to...

..."Yes, WE can"!!!!

Thanks for the 'roots', Granddaddy.

Happy Birthday in your "beautiful heavenly home above".