In the early stages of the website 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 133rd Edition 

 Peace, love and Blessings, 

 With gratitude for boundless Blessings, here we are in July 2023 celebrating living life to the fullest. Thanks goes out to everyone who seized the opportunity to celebrate our fathers and let it be known that missing fathers are not in a majority. We acknowledged all those who understand the importance if their roles as Fathers. 

      There's a mindsight that is being pushed that families don't know how to be families. We made a testament that this is not the rule or the norm. As hard as life is black Fathers still they reign. Having said that, welcome to the season of bright sunshine, and blooming hopes and desires.

       Family, we wish to encourage you to dare to dream, to hold on because storms don't last always. Anticipate brighter days and blessings coming your way. You've survived times that no one ever experienced and so now with each new day is revealed a new opportunity. So family, grab the bull by the horn and live, love laugh. Don't forget how far you have come and where you hope to be. And in doing so bring someone along or pull them up ,it will be your blessing too. 

        Finally, so I don't get in trouble, we celebrated Sheila Anne Royster's 76th Birthday in Michigan on June 21st. Send her some love and cover her with your prayers as she is the eldest living Royster. Now for the fire works my one and only baby sister, Dolores J Cooper will celebrate her 71st birthday on July 2nd in Florida. Happy Birthday

 Family Reunion in Louisiana

 Lets give a huge shout out to our cousins Lisa Michael Semere and Tammy Michael for being instrumental in organizing an amazing  Family Reunion in Louisiana and New Orleans. The surrounding area will never be the same again. Just in case you think you missed something this Reunion was on their maternal Grandparents side. They honored their Great grandfather Eraste Boutte. 1883- 1964.  On June 22 they hosted a BBQ block Party, a parade in the park and a French LaLa dance during the LSU game. Congratulations on a very successful event. And to our family who supported their popcorn fundraiser, see what support can accomplish

Wider Horizon Book Club

 Join us on July 29 at 4:00  est.

 Reading: Stay Close by Harlan Coben 

  The Wider Horizon Book Club is always looking for new members to join.  Even if you haven't read the book, you will find this group warm and interesting. We laugh, sip, celebrate and generate stimulating conversations.

 

 The Wider Horizons Book Club will always be on Zoom at the link above. Or you can use: Meeting ID: 827 9641 9692 and the Passcode: HORIZONS. As a reminder, all future book discussions will take place the last Saturday of every month at 4PM Eastern on https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82796419692 Passcode: HORIZONS Hope you are available to join us, Mary & Terri

 Prayer Warriors: 

 We have reminded you of the importance of keeping our elders covered by your prayers we now ask that you keep their children's names lifted up as well. Our matriarch Elizabeth "Betty" Tucker Scotland 87 and our reigning Matriarch Jean Osborne Tucker Grant 97. We encourage you to shower them with love and attention. A special thank you goes out to cousin Horatio Green who calls cousin "Betty" every day and Kim Morefield Davis who pops in and brings a smile to her face, To our Grant cousins who see and love on their mother every day we send you strength and we're proud of your attentiveness! Cousins Debra Strand, Denise Jones, Victoria Kershaw and Joan Jordon you are amazing and we love you.

 Much love and prayers go out to Tyrone L Haden Sr. of the Bronx, New York who is recovering from an illness as well as a fall.