Why were you invited to this newsletter? Everybody comes from somebody! This is what all of us have in common. 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 who was Enslaved. It went on to tell us how Jane Ford a free woman married a slave and so Mathew took on her Surname. Jane and Mathew had 17 children. 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?
163rd Edition
Ah here we go, running into this Season of love, Grace and prayerfully Prosperity,
Much love to each of you as we celebrate being here in this final month of the year. Many of those whom we loved are watching from above as we navigate through this Season. And many of us who are still here are tettering back and forth with our emotions. Yes, it's December, a month of sharing, caring and giving.
I'm going to ask that each of you give yourself Grace. As happy a Season that this month can be for children; some of us are struggling with remembering the joy that December used to bring.
It's that time of year where we don't know if we want to participate in the hustle and bustle or do with just want to grab a glass and call it a day. I don't know where you are in this equation but once again I ask you to give yourself Grace. Give your feelings their time and place, but... Yea, But! but Don't get stuck in being overwhelmed, over sadden, or just plan over it,
For every moment of longing there's a memory of love, fun and laughter. For everyday of anguish, there's a picture in our minds of brighter days. And for every tear that is shed there's an opportunity to live life to the fullest. For every second you wish you could turn the clock back, create a moment in the present that will be left for someone to remember.
Embrace your gifts of Family, friends, accomplishments and most importantly the roles you have played in making others happy.
As my Uncle the Late Walter Royster used to say: Smile God loves you!
It's not easy going through, but you made through last December and you'll make it this December! If you Move through this month with the innocence of a child, you'll laugh at your missteps, your longing and your pain.
Family, here's what I always say: Click Click! Much love Always
This newsletter serves to put an exclamation mark on the lives that our Ancestors hoped we would have. The messages in this newsletter is to offer hope, encouragement and acknowledgement. So I hope you will reach out to one another and share victories, desires and needs. We can only trust you will find this newsletter worthy of your time and take a moment to read and share your news with us. Please send any thoughts, messages or history to fullergail@hotmail.com or give me a call at 646 8515247; I'll answer.
Happy Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a seven day celebration that highlights 7 Principles. Each day a separate principle is discussed and promoted and a single candle is lit. The candles are 1 Black symbolizing the race, 3 red symbolizing the blood we shed and 3 green symbolizing our hopes for prosperity and land.
Along with the Kinara (candles), there's a Mkeka) pacemat and on the place mat will be ears of corn representing the number of children in your household. The kernels on the corn represent the possibilities . And finally the Kikombe cha Umoja (the Unity Cup)
During this seven day celebration , when you enter the someone's house the greeting is Habari Gani? which means : "What's the News? the response would be whatever the Principle is for that day.
The Seven Principles:
- Umoja (Unity): Striving for and maintaining unity in the family and the community.
- Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): Defining oneself and speaking for oneself.
- Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): Building and maintaining a community and making our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our own and solving them together.
- Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): Building and maintaining our businesses for ourselves and each other.
- Nia (Purpose): To build and develop our collective communities together.
- Kuumba (Creativity): To do whatever we can to leave our communities more beautiful than when we inherited them.
- Imani (Faith): To believe with our hearts in our people, our families, and the righteousness of our struggle.
- The Seven Symbols: (Thank you Marcella Fuller Benjamin for sharing the meaning of the 1st day of Kwanzaa)
Kwanzaa celebrations usually include a special mat called a Mkeka on which all the other symbols are placed. On this mat are placed a candle holder called a Kinara, seven candles collectively called Mishumaa Saba, mazao (fruits, nuts, and vegetables), a unity cup called Kikombe cha Umoja, an ear of corn called Vibunzi, and Zawadi or gifts.
I wish you the magic of the Season i wish you love!
Good News:
Family, we were Blessed to Celebrate the 75th Birthday of the one and only Clarence Stroud Haden in Pennsylvania. Happiest of Birthdays to you Clarence. As we informed you a few months ago Clarence is one of the new Patriarchs of the family
I can hear them shouting now from California; Happy Birthday to Nicolas " Nick" Tucker.
Since we won't be together again until January. Please keep in mind one of our new Matriarchs who will be celebrating her birthday on Dec. 24th. Happy Birthday Joan O Grant Jordon.
Prayer Warriors :
We ask your Prayers for out cousin Doreen Chesson Richburg. We have been informed that Doreen was recently hospitalized in Yonkers, New York. We pray for her recovery and Good health
As is always our tradition we extend Prayers for Our family and our hopes of keeping each and everyone of us covered by Grace.
Wider Horizon Book Club
We invite you to join us for our 5th Annual Preseco, Poetry and Prose meeting
Save The Date: Saturday, December 27th at 1PM EST/4PM PST for a wonderful and unforgettable holiday experience.You don't want to miss the event. Grab your glass, sit back or sit up and join us virtually.
- Virtual Meeting Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82796419692
- Password : HORIZONS
