Billy Cannon's Halloween Run

I read today where Billy Cannon passed away at the age of 80. 

Whenever I hear the name Billy Cannon, I automatically remember my Mama telling me about missing this famous Halloween run...and why. 

The story actually begins with my mother being 9 months pregnant with me. October 10th was a home game against Miami. She got up and dressed, thinking she was going to attend the ballgame with her student ticket. To her great chagrin, Daddy was not having her risk going into labor right there in Tiger Stadium. Apparently, Mama was extremely upset by this and sat on a bench outside the stadium, listening to the game and calling Daddy every name in the book. 

Two days later, on October 12th, I was born. 

Mama had a hard time birthing me and had some complications. This was also a time when parents did not take 2 1/2 week old babies out and about like they do now. Because of me, Mama missed Billy Cannon's 83-yard runback against Ole Miss to win the game 7-3. 

I don't think she ever quite forgave me. 

Maybe he can recreate it for her in Heaven. 

Royal Wedding

Yes. I am one of THOSE people. Those people who set alarms for unholy hours to watch royal weddings. 

Years ago, the girls in my dorm at Mississippi College got up at 4 AM to watch Diana marry Prince Charles. Later, I got up early to watch Sarah Ferguson marry Prince Andrew. I arose long before my usual hour to view the wedding of Kate and Prince William. I even remember skipping class years ago while in college to watch Luke and Laura get married on General Hospital! 

I know there are a lot of folks who don't care about royal weddings. But, I love them. I love the specials that are aired in the weeks before, full of British history and tradition. I love the speculation about the dress, the guests, and the music. 

There has been so much tragedy this year with horrible school shootings, natural disasters, unrest, and just plain hatefulness. I know that this wedding is considered frivolous in the grand scheme of things. But, sometimes, I need the escape that such an event provides. I need to see hopeful young people in love. I need to see adorable children all dressed up. I need to see lovely flowers and pretty dresses. I need to hear the gorgeous music.  I need to be reminded of what is beautiful and true in the world. 

I think this couple has a wonderful future ahead and I look forward to seeing great things from them. 

The Power of Words

As I scrolled through Facebook today looking at all the pictures of the mothers and all the praises for said mothers, it made me a little sad. It seems that so many people have or had an idyllic relationship with their mamas. 

I loved my mama. She will be gone 28 years this Christmas night and I still miss her terribly. But, our relationship was not always peaches and cream. We were alike in a lot of ways and we could clash...big time. 

Even after all this time, the things that still cause pain are the words that we said to each other in anger, especially when I was a teenager. There are so many things I wish I could "take back" and I have a feeling that there are things she might have wanted to take back as well.

After my mama got seriously ill, I never knew from one day to the next whether or not she would still be with me the next morning. I also knew that I did not want any last words to her to be angry ones. When she was in pain and sometimes got ugly with me, I would bite my tongue and leave rather than reply with nasty words of my own. Inevitably, the phone would be ringing when I got home and mama would be on the other end with an apology. 

Unkind words hurt. They hurt more than any physical blow. And they cause damage that lasts a lifetime. Think before you speak.

Especially to your mama.