FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

 

Grace with I believe Pudgy

Birthdays in February can be really special! It’s a month full of unique vibes, especially with Valentine’s Day making everything feel extra cozy and warm. Plus, for people born later in the month, there’s a bit of that post-holiday magic still lingering. Depending on where you live, you might have a winter birthday, which can feel a bit more intimate and cozy, with snow or chilly weather setting the mood for indoor celebrations, like movie nights or enjoying a warm meal with close friends and family. And also 4 of the Presidents of the United States were born in February-- George Washington, William Henry Harrison, Abraham Lincoln, and Ronald Reagan.

Our birthday celebrations as we were growing up began with Mother's birthday on February 16.  We didn't always hit the mark on parties or even the day.  But one year, when my next to the youngest brother Davy was 10, he wanted to do something special for Mother's birthday as she was suffering with post surgery pneumonia caused by a blood clot. Here is his story: 

"Yes:  I remember having a children's cookbook and wanted to make her a birthday cake.  The problem was that she was sick.  Mother had a surgical procedure to take out varicose veins in her legs.  After the surgery was done and she started recovery - a clot broke loose and after going through the heart it stuck in her lung.    The result was pneumonia.  She was stuck in bed at home.  I made a layer of cake, but it was only about an inch thick. As a result I spent most of the day baking six more layers. The plan then was to put a thin layer of jelly between cake layers.  The layers were sliding all over the place.  Just then a neighbor arrived (called by someone to "check on the kids") and found the problem.  She demonstrated how to save the day with a few hundred toothpicks.  After that the frosting went smoothly and with one candle we all went in to the bedroom singing Happy Birthday.  I set the cake on the platter on her chest and she struggled to blow out the candle. Years later she kept reminding me of that with a laugh."

It's the thought that counts, right? He did for Mother as he wished others to do for him.  

Matthew 7:12  “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

THE LEGACY OF INTEGRATION AT GROVETON HIGH SCHOOL

 

As a teenager, I couldn’t quite grasp the timeline of history. It was all a blur—names, dates, and events flying by without any clear connection. But now, decades later, I’ve lived long enough to witness and understand the profound changes that have shaped our society, and among those changes is the pivotal shift that took place with integration in the public schools.

My family moved to Virginia in 1952. Most of our ancestors were from Washington State.  We had grown up with the song "Jesus love the little children all the children of the world." So we were shocked when a little black friend wasn't allowed to join the Cub Scout troop at our church.  As a result we changed Cub Scout troops. 

And shortly after that one of the most significant moments of that era occurred at Groveton High School, where I was privileged to witness the power of integration firsthand. I remember the excitement, the nerves, and the change that came with the first black student entering our school—a moment that marked a turning point in our community’s history.

At that time, Groveton, like many other schools, was on the cusp of a new chapter, one that would contribute to the larger movement toward equality in our country. The first black student to attend Groveton was part of a broader push for integration, a wave that spread across schools nationwide after the historic Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954. The integration of schools was not just a legal change; it was a cultural shift that forced people to confront their biases, challenge their perceptions, and rebuild their communities around the ideals of equality and justice.

One of the most important figures during this time was Rayfield Barber, who courageously spoke out about the challenges and triumphs of being one of the first students to break the color barrier at Groveton High. Rayfield’s interview, which can be found on YouTube, provides a firsthand account of his experience, offering invaluable insight into the fears, hopes, and courage that shaped his journey. His resilience serves as a reminder that the path to equality has never been easy, but it is always worth walking.

But the story of integration extends beyond the classroom, touching the lives of people who, like George Washington, dreamed of building a better future. I found this story in World Magazine. George Washington, the son of a Virginia slave, is a poignant example of the dreams that people of African descent carried with them, even in the face of adversity. His life was defined by the pursuit of a “decent place,” a home and a community where he could live with dignity and hope. His legacy is woven into the fabric of the civil rights movement and continues to inspire those who strive to create a world in which everyone has a place at the table. Here is the link to the article.

As we reflect on the legacy of integration, we are reminded of the struggles and sacrifices of those who paved the way for us. Their courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to justice laid the foundation for the progress we see today. And as we honor Black History, it’s important to acknowledge that the story of integration is not a past chapter—it’s an ongoing journey that continues to shape our schools, our communities, and our nation.

Jesus loves the little children