In the early stages of the website some very interesting family history was included. It took us back to the early 1780's with Charles and Sarah Marshall, the parents of Mathew Marshall Ford a Slave. It went on to tell us how Jane Ford a free woman married a slave and so Mathew took on her Surname. And finally, it explained our Early beginnings in what is known as Culpeper, Virginia. 

  You may not have been a history buff, but Culpeper was the sight of the most military battles in the Civil war.  Why is this important to Our family.  Jane and Mathew (a former slave) ran a commissary for the Union Army in the midst of the war.  Less than a mile away from the homestead was a military jail. 

  You have to ask yourself: What kind of People were Our Family!  Some of our new readers may still ask : Why  is Jane and Mathew important to us.  Well Jane and Mathew fathered Richard Ford who married Sarah and had Mary T who in turn married Dock Stroud.  Well, hold on Dock  and Mary had 5 daughters who eventually moved to Mount Vernon, N.Y and married into the Haden, Tucker, Michael,  Ford and Wyatt Family.  Need I say more?

  Welcome to the 132nd Edition

Peace, love and Blessings, 

     Family bring out your bull horns, fire works, pots and pans.  It's June and we will celebrate our Father's in Grand fashion.  The men in our family deserve nothing less than high praise and accolades. You see they are here, being who they are as they survive each day of temptation, stress, and misrepresentation.

      This is a time to let it be known that our father's deserve to be recognized  for their true worth.  There will be no half stepping in our celebration. Our  men are members of an endangered species and collectively we will affirm their value. 

     Yes, some may harbor mixed feelings. Yet that conflict is a valuable teaching tool.  Use it to determined what type of father you will be.  Use it to gauge how you measure up in your role as a Father.  Use your experiences to define what you will or won't be as a father.

    Yeah, some of our father's may have been missing in action, let that teach you to stand up and stay in!  We may have heard some bad things about our Father's.  Let that not be what they say about you.

   As Sister's and Family we will lift you up , push you forward and give you a safe space in our hearts to rest.  Family, we will define and determine what our Father's are and who they are in their role as "Man of the House".

    So family, get to planning your celebration! Breakfast in bed, gifts on the table and strut your Stuff through the community.   Let it be known, there's a father in the House!

Good News

We welcome our new arrival  Kaylani  Celeste Anderson, daughter of  Kimberly and Jeremy J Anderson .   

The graduation parade begin  in San Diego California with Emanuel McCullough Jr who is the son of  the late Emanuel McCullough Sr and Tyfenie Bartley  Royster.  He is the grandson of the former Paulette Bartley Royster and Michael Mikal Royster.

Heading to Atlanta Georgia lets give a loud and Proud shoutout to Judea Haden.  Son of Danielle Haden and Grandson of Denise Haden Scales.

You heard New York making noise with Brandon R Coley graduating from Mount Vernon High School.   Brandon is the son of the later Sharline Brown Coley and Richard Coley III

New York is a noisy group as it celebrates AnnaRae Haden graduating high school and heading off to college in Buffalo, NY.  Anna's parents are Donna Gyzik and John M Haden III

New York New York celebrating Alexander Julian Carlixto son of  Dr. Traci Alexander and Carlixto Ciriaco. Alex is the grandson of the late Audrey Alexander and Roberson Haden.

Congrats goes out to Michele Pruitt Haden, wife of Kevin Haden on her new position on QVC. Daughter n law of Constance and Clarence Stroud Haden Sr.

Prayer Warriors

 As always keep our Elders in your prayers 

We ask that you keep cousin Tyrone L Haden Sr. in your prayers. Tyrone was recently released from the hospital.  Tyrone is the son on Tyrone Phelps and the late Cecelia Haden Hall.

Wider Horizon Book Club

The Wider Horizon Book Club would like to thank Barbara McClain, author of  " Blessed Not Bitter", for her candid interview. The readers had a great interchange of thoughts and ideas for future writings and were thankful for her openness. This is a memoir that traces 60 years of separation from one's biological family and the journey one took to get in position to be reunited.  It's a good read

 Junes book will be "One Italian Summer.  So join us at our virtual book Club meeting.  The date and time will be announced.

Our History
   I began this months newsletter with a message about uplifting our men and their roles as fathers. I'm dwelling on that thought because our men need to be remember on a positive note.   An example of the message one wants to leave behind is captured in this Reflection written by Mary Royster Harris as she speaks of her uncle Clarence Stroud Haden. I hope this will rest well in your hearts and in your minds.

 

  "We waited too long to tell you how much you meant to us..  All those times when we had the opportunity we let it pass by. Now here we are with so little time and so much to say.  We took those precious times for granted. Those times when you were there to listen, to talk, to ease our fears, to help  us. We  thought you were our  indestructible source of energy, wisdom, knowledge and wit. How foolish we were not to realize that nothing and no one lasts forever... that one day you would no longer be around

    Uncle Clarence remember all those times when  seemed not to remember which one we were and you called us "Boy or Girl".  It was okay. We know that with so many of us it was difficult keeping us straight.  But that wasn't the only reason you did it,  was it?  You were telling us something, that unless we do something to distinguish  ourselves we are like everyone else.  You challenged us to be our own person and to be the best.

      And then there were those times you persistently asked endless questions.  Probing for answer we didn't want to give and prying in areas we thought was none of your business. We thought you were nosey. But, you were drawing us out, making us explore all angles and to face things.

     We  never let you rest did we" We called on you anytime of the day or night to help us with our cars, to see what kind of goodies you had, to pick your brain or just to ask for help. You always put us through the paces, but you never said no.

     You had such a big heart that you made  our friends, your friends and gave to them the same  generosity.

    Whenever you were around it was always a happy time.  You were good about sharing family and telling us all about the good old days.  You made us laugh, you made us think.  You made us feel like we belonged. We will always remember you, because we know that you cared because you made each one of us feel special. You instilled in us individuality, family pride, and a desire to do the best we can.

     We realize now that you prepared us for this day.  We won't let you down,  We will be strong because you toughened us up,  We will strive for the best, because  you gave us the best. We will be loving and we will always be concerned  for each other and stick together because no one can make it alone

Family, Father's and Mother's what message will leave for your children?