The Great American Story

Michelle Obama in her own words.

Anniversary Party on July 11th

It started at 7 pm and ended around midnight at our home. We had a great time with family and friends, but the old folks couldn’t hang after midnight.
Chris and I had the best time ever!

Our personal theme song was "Can't Let Go" by Anthony Hamilton. My favorite part is the chorus:

"Even if we fuss or fight, try til we get it right
You are my life, I can't let go
Even if we disagree, you can put it all on me
You are my life, I can't let go
I can't, I can't let you go"

My sister Dawn, niece Nikki and my very best friend Sonya put together the best party. We listened to “old school” music from the 80’s; Michael Jackson, Run DMC, MC Hammer, Prince, Janet Jackson, Bobby Brown until way in night. I know we did the Mississippi Cha Cha slide about ten times. No one was really counting!

I think I lost about 10lbs that night. It was a wonderful surprise when CJ presented us with gifts. He took his hard earned money (from Sicily’s) and bought me a webcam and Chris a cover for his motorcycle. It was so thoughtful of him to buy us things he knew we would really want. He even wrapped them for us.

Nikki created a wonderful presentation of past pictures of Chris and I. There were pictures I did not even remember. My sweet cousin, Staci whom just in the last year I have gotten reacquainted with stayed for the event. It meant so much for them to spend this time with us. They were scheduled to leave Wednesday, but stayed for our anniversary.

Sonya and her husband, Tran worked so hard to get everything just right. Dawn who is always late decided to join us around 8:30. We fussed about her being late but let her slide when we saw the beautiful cakes she made. Hey, check out the bling bling and the motorcycle on the cakes.

Chris' close friend Earl and Cedric came too. Earl sang a very sweet song for us.
It almost made me cry. NOT! It will take more than a song to get me to cry.

Chris and I talked about later that night how it seems like just yesterday we said I do and went back to work the very same day. We had no money, no wedding, no ring, and no reception, just YOUNG love. I pray we stay 4ever YOUNG!!!!!!!!!!

It’s Our Anniversary

We came to loving each other not by finding the perfect person, but by accepting and appreciating over time the imperfect person perfectly.

How much time did it take?
20 years = 7300 days = 175200 hours = 10512000 minutes = 630720000 seconds

Born to be Wild!!

With the price of gas at $4.00 a gallon, this was the perfect excuse for Chris to purchase the motorcycle he has been wanting. It took him several weeks to narrow it down his final choice. It's amazing to me that he would want a bike like the one below. Frankly, I think it looks like a bike CJ should have, but to each his own. Especially, given the fact he is almost forty. But he is sporting it well! You go biker man!

The Thames' 40th Year Anniversary

It is written in Genesis 2: 24 ~ 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.' This scripture implies two complete people joined together make one solid couple.

On May 17th 1968, Eddie and Willie Ruth became that one solid couple. Forty years later, they are still that one solid couple. On Saturday, May 23rd, in Philadelphia, MS, we all joined my parents in celebrating their 40th year anniversary. We celebrated in a little community call “Liberty” where my father grew up and spent all his childhood. This was indeed a special occasion for the Thames’ family. Lot’s of memories are built at this spot.

We had an old fashion picnic with family and friends. BBQ ribs & chicken, bake beans, potato salad, etc. Dawn, even set up an old fashion “Thames County Store” with moon pies, bottled cokes, old fashion oat meal cookies, and penny candy for everyone.




We listened to R & B music from the 60’ until dark. Music included tunes from singer like; Otis Redding, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Ray Charles, Chubby Checkers and many more. It was a jamming good time! I think we did the “Cupid Shuffle” and the “Mississippi Cha Cha” at least ten times.

My father’s sisters; Annie and Leola stopped by. Many of my parents’ long time friends from Brandon and other towns came to visit. Long time friends Joe and Brenda Tate even drove up from Pelahatchie. This was their first trip to visit in Philadelphia. I think they left early enough to make a short stop at Williams Brothers.

You can’t come to Philadelphia without stopping at Williams Brothers. Dawn’s in-laws, Mr. & Mrs. Elijah Jones drove in from Brandon. Even Dr. Herman Windham, my father’s nephew and professor at Tuskegee University joined us for this occasion. Around 4 o’clock we get a delightful visit from Debbie, Chris’ wife. Debbie drove all the way from San Antonio Texas to share this once in a life time moment with us. Later that evening to our ultimate surprise, my mother’s siblings; Tobbie, Liz, Norman, & Corleen drove down from Cleveland, OH.

So many community members and friends showed their love for my parents on that day. It was a day that the grandkids will remember for years to come. They just can not believe that Mema and Papa have been together for 40 years. Will said, “Man momma, that’s older than you are!” Then he pauses for a moment, thinking real hard and asks, “Oh momma, how old are you?”

March 17th-24th

Barak Rocks!

Chris is baptized!

Sunday, January 13, 2008
What a day of rejoicing! The day C.J. was baptized. As we were leaving the church after service, he whispers to me. "Mom, I want to come back and get baptized tomorrow." Nearing the door, I asked him quietly, "What if you don't live to see tomorrow?" He paused and said, "I want to do it now then."
And so it was ...

And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

Act 8:39

Marting Luther King, Jr.

TO BE A SERVANT


Every word from a Martin Luther King quote expresses the need for compassion and love. Martin Luther King also believed in dignity of labor. He championed the principles of racial justice.

Another Trip to the Country

Talk about a FUN day!
I couldn’t keep from sharing these pictures. There is nothing like seeing happy children. At least four to five times a year, my parents’ grandkids get together in the country.
The kids had so much fun! You would never believe that these kids with i-pods, nintendo’s, and PSP’s would find so much joy digging through the country side. These pictures were taking in the old house my father lived in as a child. It is now in a pasture with cows, so we had to watch our steps. I took these pictures Sunday afternoon. The house has fallen it. It was very sad! I sneaked one picture of my sister digging through the rubbish. Some are just still pictures I wanted to capture before they disappear.

I am going back to get that old door and clean it up. It would be nice with color pictures on it. The kids even found an old car and were brave enough to climb inside it. Even one on top of it! One gift we can give our children is to find laughter and happiness in the simple things of life.

Allow children to be happy in their own way, for what better way will they find? ---Samuel Johnson