Love in!
Today more than a hundred people gathered in a small town in between Houston and Galveston to celebrate one person. Her name is Sadye Maxwell Dudley and everyone calls her “Sissie”. She is one of five siblings, born in a little home in Galveston Texas. She will be eighty years old on Wednesday. She was second born to Sadye, her mom and Charles Wallace, her father. She and her husband, Harry had six children, four girls and two boys. You can see why there were so many people at the party! Her sister Marilyn, baked one of her gorgeous gigantic cakes. Her daughters, created memorable displays of her life in photos on a large board.
I was there because I am married to Sissie’s sister Lou Ann, the middle child of the Maxwell family. So many folks pitched in to make this party a huge success. Marilyn’s husband, Jay worked tirelessly in the kitchen with his family who volunteer to do special events like this. They usually do this for Light House Charity and situations of helping folks during floods and storms. Lou Ann and I helped a lot with setting up tables and with food and anywhere else that was needed.
Most of these folks have known each other for years, if not decades. I watched them as they laughed and hugged and renewed their relationships. It was a big love in! I suppose this kind of celebration goes on all over the world. As I reflect upon it, I am touched by how much love and caring is shared for a mom of six children. Sadye (Dudley) her married name, is not famous. She didn’t invent some gadget. She didn’t write a best selling novel. She didn’t get a secondary education and receive advanced degrees. She is a mom who loves her children and so many grandchildren and great grandchildren. And she lives in a family that celebrates that! They are one close, caring, loving family who make a difference by being there for each other. Whether they live in close proximity or not. I was honored to be there and see and feel the love! From my grateful heart to yours, Thomas