Really don’t know what to say. It’s Matthew’s birthday. He came roaring into the world January 3, 1968. Red headed, restless even then. Imaginative beyond measure. Interested in everything: Tammy Faye…school—especially Mrs. Perkins who taught a third-grader how to read. Ernest Angley…Big Wheels…Neighbors he would walk down the street knock on doors and introduce himself. They all loved him. He worshipped “The Love Boat”and especially the character that kept pointing: “La Plane”…”La Plane.” He had a cape where he ran down the street or the church balcony saying: Shazam…Shazam. He watched his Grandmother making biscuits and fried chicken. To this day he carries those recipes in his head and we are the recipients still every Thanksgiving and Christmas of those goodies.
A little later on he discovered Art and his teacher Brenda. He won awards for his art work and landed at the Art Institute in Chicago. From Clemson to Chicago was a very long way. My wife and I were so scared when we turned around to go home and left him in Chicago. He took to it like a duck to to water. He worked one summer at Habitat for Humanity and got to know Jimmy Carter. Mama, he said, when you get out of bed you look just like Rosalind looks—so tired. He met Mark in his bank and that was the beginning of a relationship that has lasted over 30 years. I had their wedding in Philadelphia one morning. Just me and my wife and two friends. Tears ran down all our faces as we stood there on holy ground.
You don’t want to hear all his accomplishments. Like anybody’s child you remember and that memory, despite all the and downs, brings you great joy.
I guess this brag sheet is enough. But on this day I remember Matthew my son and I am very glad.
No comments:
Post a Comment