Living Life
In memory of
Ms. Jackson
1911-2004
I was just sitting on my mothers porch with my mom watching Ms. Jackson sweep her already clean sidewalk just a week and a half ago. Ms. Jackson had routine. She swept the front of her house every week usually on a Wednesday or a Thursday. She worked until the day she passed. She had a pension for backing her car in and out of her driveway (one neighbor counted 15 times)to get it exactly straight on the concrete strips rather than on the dirt in between. My mother and I would try to guess how old she was. Ma thought she was 60 something, I knew she was older maybe late 70's early 80's. We never thought Ms. Jackson was 93. She never complained. Even when the neighborhood was a ruckus. She lived alone. Her mother died maybe 2 years ago. Ms. Jackson stayed giving my little girl money and would snip if I thought I had anything to say about it. She was as sweet as peach cobbler, active and always had a smile. She spent Sunday's in her best at church and had lived in Savannah her whole life. Ms. Jackson passed this weekend, suddenly. I feel though I didn't know her extremely well she shared a part of herself so indirectly with me and my family. But a week and 1/2 ago mother and I were outside in the early evening watching Ms. Jackson sweep her front. We decided that she was a woman that had found peace in life. We figured just recently that Ms. Jackson had the key to life. Was it her motivation and activity? Was it her acceptance of what life brings us? Was it a contentment with what she had and had accomplished? We didn't know exactly what it was but you could see it in her pace and smile. Soon later she was being taken to the hospital. We knew she would never be the same. We didn't think she would be leaving. I didn't go see Ms. Jackson in the hospital. I couldn't bring myself to. I probably should have but I didn't want to see her in the hospital bed hindered by life. She is life. I've watch a couple of close people, older people, go into a hospital and never come out. I didn't want to see her like that.
So I sit here thinking about Ms. Jackson. Thinking about many people who were in the most subtle way ahead not of their time, but ours. Ahead of the hustle and the bustle. Ahead of the material quest. People that have learned what the Most High has sent them here to learn. People that come into this world and leave others with a sense of life. Sometimes those people are just take back to the source. And what's left isn't a sadness for them but a sadness for ourselves in our lost of a spirit that was so special.
I learned from Ms. Jackson:
That whatever your going through shouldn't be public knowledge. An air of mystery not only interesting to others but protective in some way to ourselves.
That however humble you life or work, do it well and carry yourself with pride yet humility. (isn't that a paradox?)
Stay active and find a sense of familiar security in your day to day movement through life.
Believe there is a God.
Treat the people around you with warmth and kindness. Otherwise don't treat them (to you) at all.
MYOB - Mind Your Own Business.
Find peace in life and with your self regardless of the circumstances.
And know that people are always watching!
I will miss you Ms. Jackson and have been bless'd to have met you.
love life.
