Mary Cox Jackman asked me to pass this message on. Although she would like to attend the reunion, she is unable right now. I promised her that I would pass on her words. She is having some health problems. Please keep her in your prayers. I have listed her email address at the bottom if anyone would like to contact her. She is currently living in Florida.
To all the members of our graduating Class of 1982: Do not let a single morning slip by as your husband, daughter, son, mother, father, brother, sister - whomever you last see in the morning before each of you dashes out of the homes you're blessed with - without telling them that you love them and say a quick prayer for their safety. This is especially important to those of you who have teenagers right now. From the profiles posted on the website for this wonderful event , a lot of you do have teens - remember when you hated your mother or father (if you were lucky enough to have either) at their age. Yes, some wisdom does come with age! Be accutely aware that they don't - and shouldn't have your wisdom now. That's why it's up to YOU to take charge and be the "mushy" one :-) Yeah, they may scowl or grunt but KNOW that those few words will someday mean the world to them.
Do something EVERY DAY to thank yourself. But not without doing something kind for a stranger EVERY DAY. (Notice I did NOT say do something kind for someone you love EVERY DAY - you're already doing that!) But, by my own personal experiences, by doing even the tiniest thing for a total stranger - gives YOU a good feeling.
For example, I had to stop by a 7-11-type store for something and I noticed that, in the parking lot, there was a young woman (probably just out of high school) who was sitting alone on the curb crying. She was not making a scene or calling out for help, so I just walked up and sat down beside her - didn't say a word. Guess I must've freaked her out because she finally said "who are you? (in a kind of accusatory tone). I replied, "no one but I know how it feels to cry on a curb at a 7-11 at 10:00 a.m. I don't know the reason why you're here now and I don't need to know, I just know that it looks better if someone is sitting beside you while you work out whatever it is. I must have confused the hell out of her because, after a brief last cry, she sat up straight, took a deep breath, stood up, gave me a strange look (maybe she thought I was "hitting" on her!) but then she turned around and said, "thanks, I know what I need to do" , then turned away and walked away. The point being is: I did not ask her what was making her cry, why she was there in the 1st place, or what she planned on doing about whatever her problem was.
And so it goes with so many strangers that each of us run into EVERY DAY. If someone cuts you off on the road, maybe they just found out that their kid was in an accident and they're on the way to a hospital. Point being again: Cut strangers some slack sometimes. That stranger will be you one day - in a hurry to get to a loved one and, yes, you WILL possibly offend a stranger by cutting them off, trying to get in front of a line - WHATEVER the situation may be. May they forgive you.
If you're with someone that you don't love or he/she doesn't love you back. Move out. You're not only hurting them by staying but, more importantly, you're hurting yourself. By "moving on", you're doing both of you a service: EVERYONE deserves to be treated lovingly, kindly, and sincerely. If any one of those three are not being met to your standards, you're only hurting yourself and the other person. I've lived alone - some times not by own choosing - but I have learned that it's better for both parties (even if kids are involved - no, I do not have kids of my own, but I had parents that did - just think about it) Will it be easy? NO. Will it be expensive - most likely. Will it affect your professional life - most likely, but temporarily. We, as women, are the most adaptable creatures on earth. If you need more convincing, please call or email me - I have TONS of stories :-)
If you're blessed enough to be in what you consider to be a "good" relationship, pick out a few things that make you think that it is a good relationship - and remember those things when that other person pisses you off - and you know they do - but also remember that you, too, like it or not - you piss them off, too! :-) (Suggestion, that person is probably sitting next to you right now so MAKE them think of things that they appreciate you for!)
I know this is getting too wordy and you all want to hit the bar and start or (re-continue) to mingle. Just one last thought:
Be kind when you can - there is always an opportunity
Smile at strangers - even if they're creepy-looking; they just may be having a super-creepy day!
SHOW your love for your kids; don't just say it
Forgive your "enemies" and yourself!
Always follow your "gut", it will NEVER steer you wrong
If you cherish an old friendship, make an effort to reignight it - after all, that's what reunions are all about!
Really wish I could have been there - love and prayers to, not just the "girls" (now women) that I hung out with, but to ALL of the Class of '82!
We all came in from different backgrounds and situations and we all left with different hopes, aspirations, but, for some reason that I'm not privy too, God meant for all of us to share those special years together.
Kim, again, THANK YOU SO MUCH for "giving me the floor" (so to speak). Hey, if this diatribe doesn't make it to the masses, so be it. I only write from the heart - whoever hears it can listen or not.
As for the past several months since I've been notified of this reunion - coupled with my illness (still awaiting what THAT is!), you've given me the gift of reunion with, not only "old" friends", but have been given the gift of looking past people that I, stupidly looked past, back then and have made some new reunions.
I truly think you are an outstanding person/woman and, again, I wish I had had the smarts to have gotten to know you better back then; but then again, you probably wouldn't have wanted anything to do with me. Ah, hell, who's to say?!
Thank you for EVERYTHING!
Mary
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