Selma, Surgery, and More: Share 4 Somethings— March 2024
For the 2024 edition of “Share 4 Somethings,” Jennifer asks us to share each month:
- Something loved and/or disliked
- Something accomplished
- Something improved upon and/or that needs improvement
- Something noticed
I also share my previous month’s One Second Everyday video . . .
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Something Loved
- CROSSING THE BRIDGE TOGETHER
We started at the Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church.
Then we marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on March 3 in Selma, Alabama. It was the 59th anniversary of the Selma-to-Montgomery March for civil rights in 1965.
A lot of crazy things have happened in my state of Alabama. And continue to.
But on this day, it felt incredible to be surrounded by thousands of people who showed up in solidarity to be better humans to each other, not worse.
There were many different organizations represented, including the one I was marching beside, Moms Demand Action.
Vice President Kamala Harris led the march, which also included several surviving foot soldiers from the original march. Much progress has been made in the 59 years since Bloody Sunday, but we still have much more progress to make.
You can watch a short video about the day here:
In Selma, Alabama, the Fight for Justice Marches On
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Something Accomplished
- V’S FINAL EYE SURGERY
I mentioned in this post (One More Try to Go Home) that my friend V was having a third surgery on her eyes last week to correct her loss of vision. (The first two surgeries didn’t do it.)
The third surgery has now been accomplished. However, V is still in the dark.
I’m crushed for her.
She doesn’t seem to notice though. She began losing sight (as far as we understand it) a few months ago. The loss was gradual enough that she didn’t mention it. Only on a routine visit to the eye doctor in December to replace her missing glasses did they discover these major complications with her eyes.
The doctors have done all they can. The next step for V may be to learn adaptions to being blind. I’m hoping she will be able to.
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Something that Needs Improvement
- NATO PHONETIC ALPHABET
This may seem random, but in my list of things to memorize this year for my one word of the year Curiosity, I’ve chosen the NATO phonetic alphabet, the most widely used set of words to communicate letters of our alphabet.
When someone spells something to me over the phone using these 26 code words (ex: A as in Alfa), it’s always very helpful.
Do you know this alphabet? I’m amazed at how many people do. So why not me, too? I think it will come in handy. And if not? At least I’ve exercised my brain in the learning.
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Something Noticed
- NO MATTER HOW OLD
My oldest surviving aunt died last week at the age of 97. She and my own mother had been best of friends while Mama was alive. My Aunt Jo Dale was a wonderful and inspiring woman. But regardless of how many years she’d lived, her daughter (my cousin) still cried at her death, as did I.
I notice that no matter how many years we have with our loved ones here, we’re still sad to be separated from them.
I also must mention March Madness that is happening now. I was sad to see my Auburn Tigers men’s basketball team lose in the 1st round. I’ve picked UConn as the winner of my bracket. You?
What is something you are loving, accomplishing, improving, or noticing this month?
Share your thoughts in the comments.
I’m linking at these blog parties
I always feel like we’ve had a little visit when I look at your video of the month. Thank you for inviting us into the lovely dailyness of your life, friend.
He is risen indeed!
Sorry for the loss of your aunt and I too am sad for V and her loss of vision. both incidences make me pause and be grateful to this moment at home with loved ones and being able to see. Too often I take those for granted. What an experience you had in Selma too. Impressive.
That march must have felt very powerful and so inspiring so see to many turn up for such a great cause! I am so sorry to read both about the loss of your aunt and the loss of your friend’s vision.
I’m so sorry to hear that the third eye surgery on V didn’t accomplish giving her her sight back.
I wasn’t familiar with the alphabet that you mentioned at all. Hmmm…something new to learn. 🙂
And as always, I enjoyed your one second a day video. That little grandson of yours is so adorable.
I always love the monthly videos. What an experience it must have been to participate in that march.
I’m so sorry about V’s surgery not working. Does that mean she’ll need to stay in the care facility she’s in?
I was familiar with a few of the NATO alphabet designations, but had never heard of others.
I’m sorry for the loss of your aunt. You’re so right, we miss our loved ones when they pass no matter how long they were with us. It’s sad, too, when the last remaining ones of that generation pass on. All of my father’s siblings have passed and all of my mother’s except her youngest brother.
I tried learning that alphabet a while ago and had sort of forgotten about it so I will review it now!
Sorry to hear about the sadness of your month, and always inspired by the way you extend yourself to serve others!
I’m so sorry for the loss of your aunt and for your friend’s loss of vision, Lisa. That March for Justice video brought tears to my eyes. It looks like your little grandson is quite attached to his grandpa. 🙂 I always love your 1-second videos. 🙂 Love and blessings for a wonderful Easter!
Sorry for the loss of your great aunt. It is sad to separate from someone. I think I have my own “NATO” alphabet. 🙂 My Y is usually “yellow” not “Yankee” for example, and various other adaptions. 🙂
How inspirational must it have been to participate in that march with so many other people! The phonetic alphabet … it’s a good one to learn. I’ll be on the phone going “ummm that’s m for ummm mary and a for ummm apple …” We get nowhere fast. Thanks for linking up.
That’s great that you were able to participate in the march, Lisa. As you said, much progress has been made, and yet we still have so far to go. I do not know the phonetic alphabet either, except a few of the more common ones. That sounds like something that I should learn. Thanks for sharing it with us.
I’m sorry for the loss of your aunt, Lisa. And so sad for V … I can only imagine how disappointed she must be. I had no idea there was an actual set of code words to identify letters of the alphabet; I always thought it was just a random thing! Good luck as you learn the NATO alphabet!
Hi Lisa, well done on the march and being an active participant for change. I love your idea of your 1 second every day video. What a great way to capture the month! Enjoy your April and thanks for joining us at #WBOYC? x
Hi, Lisa – Thank you for linking up with us. Your resonse to something you loved/accomplished/improved upon/noticed was incredibly well done. I’m ashamed to say that my initial thoughts for these prompts were not so deep.
My condolences on the passing of your aunt. My heart goes out to V and her loss of vision.
I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your aunt, Lisa, and also that V’s surgery didn’t work out as hoped. That must be so hard.
The march sounds like a great thing to be part of.
I hope you have a joyful, hope-filled Easter!
Great post, visiting from 4 somethings blog hop! I loved the march photos and that your aunt lived that long. No one in my family has lived over 54yo. I hope I can be the aunt to break the cycle.
Lisa, so sorry to hear about your aunt and V’s surgery still leaving her in the dark.
Visiting today from Share 4 Somethings
Wow – that march was huge. A lot of people all in one place. Kudos for sticking that out:) So sorry to read that V’s surgery was unsuccessful. Hard to imagine trying to learn life again without sight. I, too, lost my oldest aunt two weeks ago. She was almost 93. And now that entire generation is gone…my brother, my cousins and I are now at the top of the family tree. Oh my.
I felt for your friend Lisa with her newly aquired blindness, that’s are very hard road to travel.
I do know the Nato alphabet ???? we grew up with it here in Australia.
Blessings, Jennifer
It appears emojis on your site are translated as ??? marks.
So sorry for the loss of your aunt. I have heard that alphabet on some of the shows hubby and I watch. I worked for a police department for 45 years and we used a different group of words for the letters. I remember those, but your’s above is only familiar when I hear it. Ours started with Adam, Boy, Charles, etc.
It’s good to see your action by going on the march Lisa, as you say some things have changed but there’s a long way to go I’m sure! Lots going on in your post and I’m sorry for your loss and V’s eyesight issues. Thanks for linking up with us for #WBOYC this month, it’s always great to have you.
Thanks so very much for sharing your March 4 Somethings with Sweet Tea & Friends this month my friend.