Historical Thoughts
I love reading history books, watching historical documentaries, and visiting with folks older than myself to learn more about the past.
When I was growing up I enjoyed visiting and spending more time with people older than myself because they were wise and could always tell me some great stories about the past. I also enjoyed going to the courthouse and reading old issues of The Monticello News. At some point and time in my research I followed my family tree back to 1794 in North Carolina.
In the early 1800s, they’d moved to the area we now know as Sparta. What caught my attention was that the patriarch of the family had a new matriarch. I couldn’t help but wonder if the couple got into a spat on their journey to Georgia and decided to go their separate ways. Isn’t that the way we do it today?
Later in another research adventure I ran across a newspaper article from Augusta, Georgia. Mr. Allen had lost his wife and three of his children in a tornado.
Weather, not a domestic dispute, had taken the life of his first wife. Hence, the reason he had a new wife and additional children when I located information about him in Georgia.
While I was saddened by such a tragic event, I was pleased to know that it wasn’t because of the travel south that separated them. Traveling does take a toll on spouses, even today. Amen?
Ninety years ago, 1924, a lot of history was happening in America. The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade was held in New York City. The first woman governor was elected in the United States. J. Edgar Hoover was appointed to his infamous leadership position with the federal government.
Also, some notable folks were born that year—Lee Iacocca (Chrysler), Henry Mancini (Composer), Lauren Bacall (actress), Truman Capote (writer), and Russell Johnson (the professor on Gilligan’s Island). Beside these notable folks we had two future presidents born, George H.W. Bush and James E. “Jimmy” Carter.
It is difficult at best to comprehend the amount of changes our nation has gone through over the last 90 years. And while I might be naïve, I can only hope and pray that we were a more godly nation back then than we are today.
If I could spend a day on a Sunday in 1924, I would. I would love to see how our nation spent time with God as opposed to how it does today. Would it be the same or would it be drastically different? I think we probably know.
All of this history is wonderful. However, for me, someone great was born in 1924. My dad’s sister, my aunt Leila, was born. This month she celebrates her 90th birthday.
There are folks born into a family that we think of as blessings and there are some that are born into families that we think of as curses (even if they are not). I assure you, my aunt was a wonderful blessing.
As long as I can remember I have been close to my aunt. Throughout our lives we have remained very close. She is one of the most loving, caring, and encouraging persons I have ever known.
Some of the best meals I’ve ever eaten have been at her tables. Anyone who knows her knows she is exactly this and so very much more.
On behalf of everyone who knows her, happy birthday Aunt Leila. We thank God for you and for the love you have shared to many, many people over the years in Georgia and Florida.
God blessed us with your presence, and you have blessed us countless times over the years. How lucky to have you as a part of our family and the family of God. Love, your nephew.