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Reaching beyond one’s self

I stepped forward and the next thing I knew I was lying at the bottom of a flight of steps.

I didn’t know the door I opened led to the basement. But it wasn’t a moment before the reality of my mistake became a realization. The abrupt nature of my landing was certainly a rude awakening.

As a youngster at this point, about eight years old, thankfully as I tumbled quickly down the stairs at the bottom of the flight was a landing and the outside wall. When I hit the wall, somehow I stubbed my toe, busting it open on the end. Thankfully, no broken bones, just a bit of bleeding on my toe and residual pain as I picked myself up and walked back up the steps.

I was staying over night with my elderly neighbor, Millie Dobbs, who became an adopted grandmother to me. She lived with her daughter and son-in-law, who were out of town. They didn’t have any children.

Of course, my tumble upset her, but we got my to bandaged and all was good.

We had a light dinner with a warmed ham sandwich and barbecue Charlie’s chips. After dinner, we spent the evening playing games such as Chinese checkers and gin rummy while the television played a John Wayne western in the background.

As we played hand after hand, she talked about her work as a nurse in New York and asked me questions about what I wanted to do in life. Though she was a Yankee of German descent, she seemed to fit right into the contemporary Southern suburbs of Atlanta. She shared with me about meeting Marilyn Monroe during a hospital stay. She had been deceased a few years at that point but she had captivated America during her film career. Even an eight-year-old knew who she was.

Much of what we did was just be. We talked, we laughed, we had fun and enjoyed each other’s presence.

I spent much of my youth doing odd jobs for Millie. I think it was just her way to give me some money to buy things I might want, but it wasn’t a birthday or Christmas. Millie became a regular presence at our house, she spent a lot of time with my mother passing the day. My Uncle Waymond stayed with us for extended stays and Millie always came up to be the fourth in a card game as the evenings were filled by topics the adults knew more about from the shared decades they lived through.

One of my favorite things to do was on her birthday, we walked to an Irish restaurant which had opened about a mile from our homes, and had lunch. They made the biggest hamburgers and put all kinds of things I had never imagined on the burger such as mushrooms and other adds.

Why have I shared these memories, what is the point?

I didn’t have to spend time with Millie. She was not my kin. But her presence enriched my life with her experiences and the time shared. One day, her son-in-law had to move for work to Florida and of course Millie went. Letters back and forth followed until the word of her passing came by phone.

That day saddened me more than I could have imagined.

She really had become a regular part of my life. Even today, I have a storage box and if opened, one would find various crafts which her hands made and gave as gifts. These things are cherished as was she.

Is there an older person in your neighborhood, in your family, in your path which is open to sharing life experience with you and your family?

Don’t miss that chance. Share a bit of your time, and let them do the same, and what you might receive back could give for decades to come.

The smell of flowers upon the heart

The sweet smell of flowers emanated on the breeze as I ran through the backyard trail. For me, as a small boy, it seemed immense as the rhododendrons towered above me.
It was like an enchanted garden that you could imagine catching the Irish little people scurry out of your sight and the fairies to be dancing in the air about you.
It was a backyard domain of vibrant red, purple, pink, white, orange and yellow colors in every shade created by long serving forestry employee Baxter Reed who created the sights and smells for his loving wife Hazel.
Baxter and Hazel Reed were my childhood neighbors. They were of my grandparents’ generation and themselves had no children. But in their own way, they had many grandchildren – those who made up our little neighborhood.
As we played upon the streets or across the yards, they were there to smile and cheer us along. There were often cups of lemonade nearby and occasionally a cookie to boost our energy. Hazel’s love emanated through many of us.
I was able to come to know Baxter some as I assisted him with a few chores around the yard before his Parkinson’s advanced to where he was less active.
The couple was originally from Oregon and Baxter had retired from the forestry service. I am not sure what had brought them to Atlanta and our neighborhood. I guess I never asked, or if it was said, it was lost in the annals of my youthful inquisitiveness.
But from him I learned that in order to create a beautiful environment, outside of nature’s normal beauty, it took dedication and care. That is what he gave to the space he created for Hazel and him to enjoy.
When I was big enough, I took on mowing yards to earn money. The one yard that I really did not want to mow was the Reeds. Mr. Reed had cultivated the only Zoysia front yard in the neighborhood. It was thick and difficult to push the mower through. But in time, I was asked and could not refuse Hazel’s request.
One of Hazel’s pastimes was painting flowers on china, and she was very good at this hobby. I was blessed as a boy to get a few of her creations and have cherished them through the years. I recently passed those along for someone else to continue in that enjoyment.
In life, often we are not provided what other might see as the ideal situation. We may not have family or close friends with which to share our day-to-day. There may be no children who will carry on our legacy. Our health may not be the best it can be. We may face problems of our own making or thrust upon us by others.
No matter what is in the hand we are dealt in the game of life, it is our job to play it. To make the very best of the situation and along the way to strive to make our world a better place.
The Christmas and New Year’s holiday season is a time for many of loneliness. In some cases, people are outgoing and can fill the time with friends or activities that mask this until the season is passed. But others are mired in a stillness that prevents them from seeking the support of others.
You have a chance to make the lives of those around you better every day of the year. This is a lesson I learned from Hazel and from Baxter, you do your best to uplift, encourage and persevere no matter your circumstances and while doing that you make your life, your days, and your circle of engagement a happier and more loving place to be.
Create a memory that lasts far beyond you. Thank you, Hazel and Baxter, gone from us now for decades, but still in the memory and in the heart of one of those little neighborhood boys.

Actor/Entertainer/Author Randall Franks book Encouragers III: A Guiding Hand highlights celebrity stories, photos and recipes

Encouragers III Front CoverAuthor/actor/entertainer Randall Franks said he hopes the third book from his Encouragers series will inspire people to make a difference in the lives of others.

Encouragers III: A Guiding Hand,” released this month worldwide from Peach Picked Publishing, shares 58 stories of actors, musicians and everyday folks who played a role in Franks’s life.

The two earlier books in the series are “Encouragers I: Finding the Light” and “Encouragers II: Walking with the Masters.”

“Through this wonderful process of writing this book series and seeking to explore the gifts of encouragement shared with me by others, I have tapped over 150 stories of folks who God sent into my path and they were willing and able to realize their role in nudging me forward,” he said. “This latest volume by far does not finish the list of those who impacted my life or those that God will send my way in future but it does allow me to acknowledge a few who have spent some time with me along the way.

Randall Franks Violet Hensley Encouragers III a

Randall shares his new “Encouragers III: A Guiding Hand” for centenarian Violet Hensley when the American folk legend debuted as a Grand Ole Opry guest star. Hensley is seen in the book’s Moments in Time section and will mark 50 years performing at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo. this fall. (Photo: Randall Franks Media/Sandra Flagg)

“Whether for simply a moment in time, or for an extended period, we are here to make a positive difference in the lives of others,” he said. “I pray by reading these stories, looking at the photos, or even cooking one of the celebrity recipes, your day might be improved. Possibly this time shared will propel a life towards an uplifting goal through the blessings of your and God’s guiding hand.”

The third volume highlights performers such as “Star Trek” luminary James Doohan and Grand Ole Opry star Little Jimmy Dickens; American icon Bill Monroe and “The Dukes of Hazzard” legend Sonny Shroyer; country music masters Harold Bradley and George Jones; bluegrass hall of famer Kenny Baker; “In the Heat of the Night” star Alan Autry; and heralded gospel music performers Karen Peck, the Watkins Family and Tim Lovelace.

Franks said guiding hands who share their knowledge, skill, hopes and dreams can bring forth destinies yet undreamed. His book features narratives about and interviews with those who contributed to the direction of his life and career.

Franks, who is best known as “Officer Randy Goode” from the TV series “In the Heat of the Night,” starred in three TV series and 15 films. He became a country music personality as a youth beginning appearances at major country, folk, bluegrass and gospel events such as Country Music Association Fan Fair, National Folk Festival, National Quartet Convention, National Black Arts Festival and for the Grand Ole Opry. With 24 career albums in four genres, his latest is “Keep ‘Em Smilin'” He has performed to over 145 million fans around the world. Musically, he is recognized as an International Bluegrass Music Museum Legend and Independent Country Music Hall of Fame inductee. He is a syndicated newspaper columnist featured across the Southern and Midwestern U.S.

Randall Franks Glenda Jones Encouragers III

Randall Franks signs his latest book “Encouragers III: A Guiding Hand” for Glenda Jones at Georgia on My Mind Day at the I-75 Visitors Information Center in Ringgold, Ga. (Photo: Randall Franks Media/Bill Jones)

The 448-page book includes over 58 stories and 395 photos including special Moments in Time photos featuring over 125 stars from Dean Cain to Dolly Parton and Jeff Foxworthy to Third Day from Randall’s personal collection and 72 celebrity, family and friend recipes.

The book is available for order at https://randallfranks.com/ for $25 including postage and handling, and through book outlets around the world.

It is also available from Amazon here http://www.amazon.com/Encouragers-III-Guiding-Hand-3/dp/0984910867.

Like the book series on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/EncouragersbyRandallFranks/.

Featured stories in Encouragers III: 

TV and film personalities: Alan Autry, James Best, Dan Biggers,  James Doohan, Jeff Foxworthy, Robert Goulet, David Hart, Geoffrey Thorne, Sonny Shroyer, Tonea Stewart,  and Robert Townsend.

Country and pop music personalities: Harold Bradley, Johnny Carson, Phyllis Cole, Little Jimmy Dickens, George Jones, The Jordanaires, Merle Kilgore, Patty Loveless, Mac Magaha, “Doc” Tommy Scott, Frankie Scott, Buddy Spicher, Buck Trent, and Leona Williams

Bluegrass artists:  Eddie and Martha Adcock, Kenny Baker, Byron Berline, Jerry and Helen Burke, Vassar Clements, Peanut Faircloth, John and Debbie Farley, Otis Head, Bobby Hicks, Barney Miller, Bill Monroe, and Tater Tate

Gospel artists:  Albert E. Brumley, Jason Crabb, Ernie Dawson,  Lou Wills Hildreth, Tim Lovelace, Karen Peck, Dennis Swanberg, Tim Surrett, and the Watkins Family