Preserving: Henderson Carolina

There were many things that started in Henderson. My mother was one of those things. The last born of 17 children. A miracle in my eyes, considering that fact that my grandfather was hit by train when my grandmother was carrying my mother nine months into her pregnancy: A blessing, I always say. A complete blessing. Since "Blessings awaken a greater sense of awareness in the practitioner," and are "a special favor, benefit, or gift from God."

I always say to myself, what if he died a year prior? There would be no Patricia Link, and in essence the side of my family tree that consists of my siblings and me would not be. Henderson brought forth many manifestations like tradition of southern cooking that has carried my grandmother's legacy on. I'll include recipes in another entry.

My mother has stories of growing up in the "country" as she describes it that will bring tears to your eyes, of course it's her description that is so tear-jerking but the stories are also interesting. Her perspective is the hilarious part. While watching Bet Apollo today, my mother said something striking that fostered thought about how small this world really is. The new era lead singer of the Manhattans, who joined the group in 1970 is a friend of my hers. Perhaps she wouldn't describe him as a friend but she did say they grew up together in the late 1950's walking the same dusty dirt roads of Henderson North Carolina, where they shared the back yard my grandfather constructed as a path to go to Henderson Institute, where they both went to school.

Actually, according to my cousin, Tony, one of the funniest men I've ever met..skinny ole Gerald Alston, as a teenager he had a "thang" for my mother coming up. My mother shares with me she doesn't remember him liking her but Tony disagrees with that interpretation. I imagine that he did have a thing for my mother because based on the pictures she showed me from the 60 and 70's she was what some men would describe as a fine young tender one: slim, slender, thick, natural hair, beautiful features, brown eyes, and oval shaped face, smooth skin, defined lips and a tell-it-how-it-is attitude, that she still has today. In fact, it has only progressed into a tell-it-how-it-"got-damn"-is demeanor.

When I see Gerald Alston, the lead singer for the Manhattans today--I don't imagine him as a young child in the 1960's walking through my mother's back yard to get to school. Or even more fascinating having a crush on my mom. I wonder what his life was like growing up in the south at that time. I wonder if his parents like my grandparents were share croppers, cooks and if his mother cleaned wealthy people's homes to supplement their income. I wonder what kinds of things the teachers in Henderson Institute taught the children?

Those same dusty roads are still dusty today.

I wonder if he recalls those same dusty roads he used to walk on today, who influenced him to follow what I imagine was his dreams. Whether he grew up with the intention to become a singer, since my mother did say he sings the same way he did back then, which to me says he used to showcase his talents in some way shape or form. I don't know.

Although he is soulful, rich in artistic language and a phenomenal singer. I love my father, Bruce One of a kind Matthews. It is difficult for me to imagine any other man taking responsibility for making me--I know that the 1960-70's going into the 80's fostered a lot of love between that generation, music that was known to promote love, as many elders refer to songs by Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross as baby making music. The Best of the Manhattans compilation CD in 1995, Kiss and Say Goodbye was and still is today a song that fosters much thought.

Beginning with these sentimental words:

This has got to be the saddest day of my life
I called you here today for a bit of bad news
I won't be able to see you anymore
Because of my obligations, and the ties that you have
We've been meeting here everyday
And since this is our last day together
I wanna hold you just one more time
When you turn and walk away, don't look back
I wanna remember you just like this
Let's just kiss and say goodbye

I had to meet you here today
There's just so many things to say
Please don't stop me 'til I'm through
This is something I hate to do
We've been meeting here so long
I guess what we done, oh was wrong
Please darlin', don't you cry
Let's just kiss and say goodbye

Many months have passed us by
(I'm gonna miss you)
I'm gonna miss you, I can't lie
(I'm gonna miss you)
I've got ties, and so do you
I just think this is the thing to do
It's gonna hurt me, I can't lie
Maybe you'll meet, you'll meet another guy
Understand me, won't you try, try, try, try, try, try, try
Let's just kiss and say goodbye (Goodbye)

Ending with capturing the most of this detailed ballet

to be continued...