March. In like a lamb this year in the big ATL. St. Patrick’s Day associates March with all things Irish. I am proud to claim a bit of Irish ancestry via England, Scotland, and Wales. Ireland is a gorgeous country, full of lore, legend, love, and luck. These are a few photos taken on my trip there in October of 2017, when I got to celebrate my 64th birthday.
I write often about family, home, and love. This month’s post is a combination of all three. Each is such an integral part of life – not just mine, but everyone’s. Good or bad, with all their ups and downs, family, home, and love of all kinds are the heart of our existence. March is an eventful month for me where these three topics are concerned. Three granddaughter birthdays, a brother’s birthday, an anniversary, and a grandmother’s birthday. And now this year- a move to my new home. I’m sure if you reflect on your own life, you’ll find these three entities are the heart of your soul as well.
My oldest granddaughter will be 21. Mckenzie is the one who made me and PapaJoe grandparents, and who gave me the grandmother name of Mahi. Yes, like the fish. I was calling myself Grandmommy (no dowdy Mawmaw or Granny for me), and she somehow translated it to Mahi and it has stuck all these years.
Bailey, the youngest granddaughter, is truly a March baby because she is one of our rainbow babies, born after her Mommy and Daddy’s tragic loss of their first daughter in a stillbirth. She will turn three. Mabrie Lane, whose birthday will come in April, is our other rainbow baby. Bailey brightens all our family’s hearts.
Cali is one of Bailey’s big sisters and she is delightful. An engaging conversationalist, a visit with Cali is always entertaining. She will keep you laughing and amazed at her intelligence.
On March 10, 1972, at the tender age of 18, I married the love of my life, Joe Chapman. It would have been my maternal grandmother’s 73rd birthday had she been living. Sadly, she died when I was only seven years old. In 1972 I was just a baby. No, I didn’t have a clue what I was getting into. My mama wasn’t so sure about me seeing a man nine years older than me, a huge spread at the ages of 18 and 27. Especially one with two cars, two motorcycles, and an apartment of his own! Little did she know he was probably the straightest and most conservative of all the “boys” I had dated. She would grow to love him; sometimes I thought, even more than she loved me. One day years later, upon realizing the connection, our drugstore clerk said to me, “Your mother thinks that husband of yours hung the moon!” And she truly did. Even if I didn’t know what I was getting into, God knew exactly what he was doing and granted us 50 years together before Joe passed away last April. This March 10 will be my first wedding anniversary on my own. I treasure the years we had together.
Finally, I am moving forward. I’m writing again and excited about getting back to work on two forthcoming books after I get settled in my new home. That’s right – I will realize a lifelong dream and will be moving to a Florida location that holds a special place in my heart. Our family has vacationed in Flagler Beach over 60 years. The afore-mentioned people all populate my memories of Flagler over the years. It is the final resting place of Joe’s and our son Jay’s remains. I feel very close to both of them there. Georgia will always be home and I will remain GeorgiaJanet, just a bit further South.
Scenes from Flagler Beach over the years and my new home!
I hope reading this post has generated reflection on your own family, home, and love in your life. Would you please share your thoughts in a comment below? Your email is secure. And finally, although there are many Irish blessings and I pray the luck of the Irish will always be with you, this is one of my favorites.
