06.21.09
Posted in Uncategorized at 11:37 pm by Administrator
It is hard for me to imagine what the original Juneteenth celebration must have been like. To think of performing endless hours of back-breaking work in the middle of a field year after year to, all of a sudden, one day be told that you were free? It’s mind boggling. I can’t even imagine. It makes me think of my ancestors. My great-grandfather, Dr. John Henry Jordan, was born a few years after slavery ended, but his parents lived through it. What a terrible life. To be forced to function in a world where you had no rights and your body was broken everyday, not to mention the mental turmoil. It takes more than a Juneteenth celebration to get past that. Even after the original Juneteenth, I can only imagine the years of mental anguish that must have followed. My grandmother has told me stories of the impact of slavery on some of our ancestors decades after slavery was over. There was her mother’s grandmother, Louise, who, due to her grueling nighttime work schedule as a slave, was still unable to sleep at night years after slavery was over. She spent the rest of her life trying to sleep during the day while staying up all night every night. How sad.
Still, I’m grateful for the former slaves who, in spite of such a painful past, persevered and made something of their lives. Some of them helped pave the way for young men with dreams of becoming a doctor like my great-grandfather, John. I think it’s a good reminder that no matter how difficult things may seem now, we really have no excuse not to live our dreams.
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06.16.09
Posted in Uncategorized at 3:22 am by Administrator
“Living on borrowed time.” That is my grandmother’s motto these days. At the tender age of 96, she cites the Biblical promise of “threescore years and ten” as proof she is, indeed, living on borrowed time. I’m grateful for it. Despite the fact she is well aware her body is not what it used to be, I’m simply glad she is still in her right mind and has her wits about her. As difficult as it is some days, she still loves to go out, see her relatives, and socialize at her club meetings. She is a member of a Christian Savings Club which was actually started by my great-grandmother, Mollie, Dr. John Henry Jordan’s wife. How interesting that the club is still going strong. The group focuses on the Bible as well as teaching members the importance of saving money all year long. My grandmother acts as if she can’t miss a meeting. I try to explain to her that at her age, the other members would understand if she didn’t participate in all of the activities. She’ll hear none of it, so I’ve stopped trying to protest (she says I’m bossy anyway). Let her have her fun.
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06.07.09
Posted in Uncategorized at 1:12 am by Administrator
When I see a PT Cruiser, it often reminds me of my great-grandfather, Dr. John Henry Jordan. To me, the cars are reminiscent of the early 1900’s when he lived. Unfortunately, it was a car accident that caused his death. The details of exactly what happened have been sketchy over the years. What my family does know is that my great-grandfather stepped out of his car and was apparently trying to check his car’s gas tank when a passerby lit a match. The flame ignited fumes from the gas tank immediately engulfing my great-grandfather. What a horrible way to die. Despite being badly burned, he managed to live another day and a half. How painful for my family. My grandfather was barely 12 at the time. Life is so precious despite the fact most people take it for granted everyday. I’ve often wondered what life would have been like for my family if my great-grandfather had lived.
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