An "Early" Valentine

At the end of this week, those who choose to do so will celebrate Valentine’s Day. For the rest of us – we will celebrate the first of next week when all the candy is at its lowest discounted price.

Dear Early,

This past Saturday, I woke up not early enough to be in the first wave of brunchers at Funny Girl’s in Downtown Blakely. Mr. Ric and Ms. Kaye Hall (aka the “Best Blakely Brunch Bunch”) were already drinking coffee by the time I arrived. Even though I was late, we still had a fantastic brunch catching up.

Later that same day, I attended the first annual MLK Awards where three very respected women were honored for their service to the overall good of the community (Kimmie Graham, Lillie Powell and Alice Hutchins). During Ms. Alice’s acceptance speech, Mr. Al followed her right up to the podium telling the audience “That’s MY wife.” As he talked about her, he gleamed with pride and love. What perfect valentines they make!

We also witnessed the love shared between mother and son, aunt and niece, as well as two sisters. Everyone in the room could feel how much Davantae loves his mama, Coach Kimmie Graham, as he sang a verse of Wind Beneath My Wings to her. Mia Pittman honored her Aunt Alice with an introduction filled with love known only between the most caring of nieces and aunts.

Rev. Jonnie Mae Kegler King spoke so passionately about her love and respect for her sister, Pastor Lillie Powell, that it shook the room. This event lined up perfectly between MLK Day and Valentines Day as it showcased those whose love impacts this community for the better.

Over the past two years, people have asked why so much emphasis on Historic Downtown Blakely? Look at it this way: The community is a living breathing organism. Just like people, it has a heart- and as we know – if the heart ain’t healthy it affects the entire body. The more engagement and care we give to Downtown Blakely, the Heart of Early County will get much stronger, like a live pulse. In return, the community as a whole will thrive.

When I think about the community this Valentines Day I recall a 1970s recording of Louis Armstrong’s spoken intro to What a Wonderful World.

“And all I’m saying is, see, what a wonderful world it would be if only we’d give it a chance. Love baby, love. That’s the secret, yeah. If lots more of us loved each other, we’d solve lots more problems. And then this world would be a gasser! For historical context: a “gasser” is a slang term that dates back to the 1940s meaning “something outstanding.” I encourage you to listen to the recording online, so you’ll better understand what it means in relation to the “heartbeat” of Early County.

A few weeks ago, I was told I had “red clay under my fingernails,” – and, yet again, I was reminded of something from history. I’m not sure about y’all, but the older I get the more I can relate the present to the past. I’ve found it to be true. We really can learn a lot from history.

Blakely-native Judge Arthur Gray Powell, who lived in Blakely from his birth in 1873 until he moved to Atlanta to serve on the first Georgia Court of Appeals in 1906, spoke about his feelings for Blakely on the last page of his book (I Can Go Home Again): “Here ends the story of old Blakely and its environs during the thirty odd years I lived there. Since then I have met many interesting persons and have had many interesting experiences. Some day, if time and strength permit, I may write of them. But southwest Georgia and its people will always be my first and greatest love.”

If that doesn’t make your eyes a little misty – I just don’t know what to say. As each day passes, I find myself feeling the same way. There are a lot of others who feel that way about where we live. It’s through that the community love story will continue.

When I really consider it, there’s no better compliment anyone could give than associate you so closely with the land that the community is built on. Whether or not you’re officially celebrating this year’s day dedicated to love… I hope you have a Happy Valentine’s Day, Early.

– S.O.S.

Shared with permission from The Early County News