ENDURING LOVE

One of the first tasks a young journalist learned at any old hometown newspapers was to write "obits" correctly. It is sad to be writing the last of someone's life with an obituary. It can become a very interesting assignment. Obits are traditionally brief and formal, with more mention of the survivors' names than information on the deceased. There is always more to anyone's life story.

Old southern saying was that a woman should only appear in the newspapers twice in her life. Properly dictated, only in birth and death. She might gain further tolerated attention in society pages when her parents announced a proper romance and courtship had resulted in engagement and marriage.

Birth of children, and children making her proud, might get her another brief mention. Sadly, she might be mentioned when filing for divorce or widowed. Usually, that came with court records or from something notorious happening. Courthouses might burn, but families saved records and newspaper tidbits. Often, the only official family history records left are only newspaper clippings and obituaries.

Old formal photographs don't always give us the romance, laughter, tears or years of struggle a couple spent together. However, we find a real little gem now and then. I found a treasure the day I stumbled on the Blender of Love (Love Blender) picture of JoJo and Blakey.

There is always more to anyone's story than just an obit. Her blissful smile and his contented face in that one picture have inspired me often. This couple spoke volumes in the looks on their faces in this one photograph. I was intrigued enough to search for more. What I found was nothing short of heartwarming and inspiring ..... Rennie Lorca

JOSIE BLAKEY (her smile)
Picture:  http://www.loveblender.com/etc/jojo.letter.html

More of the story: http://www.mcrecord.com/MCR_Editorial/98June/Obit980618.htm

Copyright (c) 2003 Rennie Lorca