Hope Abounds: Recent Episodes
Zulema Caldwell
We decided to create this blog to mark all the events happening in our life. As a family, we have seen and experienced a lot. Samuel was deployed to Iraq and suffered severe neck and shoulder injuries, which bothers him still to this day over 10 years later. In 2012, Zulema was diagnosed with breast cancer. And over the years, we have experienced loss of loved ones and more. But through it all, we still have hope. This blog is a message platform we hope will help us to keep our hopes up!
A Wellspring of LifeThe Legacy of Ester JonesA wellspring is a source of continual supply. We can think of it as the fountainhead, the origin, root, or source of supply. My grandfather was a farmer, bus driver, businessman, an engineer, and for many, he was also a banker. My cousin, Courtney, remembers how everyone at First Guaranty Bank knew our grandfather by name. And, there were many times we had to go to him for a loan. Of course, we would have to listen to him lecture us on saving and preparing for a rainy day. My cousin Rodney shared one of his memories of our grandfather was when he came home from working on a new job. Our grandfather was very nosey. He wanted to know how much money you were making. So, he would ask you if you got paid, and the next question was always, “How much are you saving?” Rodney told him that he didn’t make enough to save. Of course, our grandfather had something to say about that. He said, “Water beating on a brick will always make an indention.” And, one of his favorite scriptures was Haggai 1:6.“Ye have sown much, and bring in little, ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe yourselves, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages, earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.” Haggai 1:6 As a farmer, he would plant about 10-15 acres of strawberries, corn, and bell peppers. I can remember a couple dozen cows and a few horses grazing on the farm. One of the funniest memories we have growing up is when Harriet and Jermaine decided to tease one of the bulls. He told us not to jump over the fence and go in the field with the bulls. But, Harriet and Jermaine always wanted to test the limits. You should have seen them running and screaming from an angry bull. Of course, here comes Grandpa to save them from being thrown in the air. When I say we lived off the land, we lived off the land. From the water to the meat and vegetables we ate daily, it usually came from the farm. One of my fondest memories of my grandfather was when he designed an irrigation system for watering his crop. The property line of the 40-acre farm ran along the parish lines for Tangipahoa and Livingston Parishes, and there is a creek that ran through the property. I always say he was an engineer because I can remember him working long hours, digging and digging so that he could tap into the water source on the property. He met with a group from LSU School of Agriculture on ways to irrigate a large area of crops, and they validated his irrigation plan and helped him with all of the details. One of the benefits of the irrigation system he designed and built was a well that he placed right by a large oak tree near the house. This well would provide the best tasting, crystal clear spring water I have ever tasted. You would often find my grandfather sitting near the well, washing vegetables or just resting after a long day and taking a drink of refreshing water. And as I think about this well, I think about how it symbolizes the wellspring of life that he was and has been for his children and grandchildren. And on today, March 16th, my grandfather would be 100 years old. I want to celebrate his birthday and celebrate his life. The reason I’m writing this tribute is to leave a record for my children and for my cousins’ children who will never meet him or know him the way that we do, who will never know about his wellspring of information and wisdom, love, laughter, jokes, and strength. Today, I am still reaping the benefits from the hard work of my grandfather. HE HAS BEEN A WELLSPRING IN OUR LIVES!
Happy 100th Birthday Grandpa!
A Wellspring of Life
The Legacy of Ester Jones A wellspring is a source of continual supply. We can think of it as the fountainhead, the origin, root, or source of supply. My grandfather was a farmer, bus driver, businessman, an engineer, and for many, he was also a banker. My cousin, Courtney, remembers how everyone at First Guaranty Bank knew our grandfather by name. And, there were many times we had to go to him for a loan. Of course, we would have to listen to him lecture us on saving and preparing for a rainy day. My cousin Rodney shared one of his memories of our grandfather was when he came home from working on a new job. Our grandfather was very nosey. He wanted to know how much money you were making. So, he would ask you if you got paid, and the next question was always, “How much are you saving?” Rodney told him that he didn’t make enough to save. Of course, our grandfather had something to say about that. He said, “Water beating on a brick will always make an indention.” And, one of his favorite scriptures was Haggai 1:6.
“Ye have sown much, and bring in little, ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe yourselves, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages, earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.” Haggai 1:6 As a farmer, he would plant about 10-15 acres of strawberries, corn, and bell peppers. I can remember a couple dozen cows and a few horses grazing on the farm. One of the funniest memories we have growing up is when Harriet and Jermaine decided to tease one of the bulls. He told us not to jump over the fence and go in the field with the bulls. But, Harriet and Jermaine always wanted to test the limits. You should have seen them running and screaming from an angry bull. Of course, here comes Grandpa to save them from being thrown in the air. When I say we lived off the land, we lived off the land. From the water to the meat and vegetables we ate daily, it usually came from the farm. One of my fondest memories of my grandfather was when he designed an irrigation system for watering his crop. The property line of the 40-acre farm ran along the parish lines for Tangipahoa and Livingston Parishes, and there is a creek that ran through the property. I always say he was an engineer because I can remember him working long hours, digging and digging so that he could tap into the water source on the property. He met with a group from LSU School of Agriculture on ways to irrigate a large area of crops, and they validated his irrigation plan and helped him with all of the details. One of the benefits of the irrigation system he designed and built was a well that he placed right by a large oak tree near the house. This well would provide the best tasting, crystal clear spring water I have ever tasted. You would often find my grandfather sitting near the well, washing vegetables or just resting after a long day and taking a drink of refreshing water. And as I think about this well, I think about how it symbolizes the wellspring of life that he was and has been for his children and grandchildren. And on today, March 16th, my grandfather would be 100 years old. I want to celebrate his birthday and celebrate his life. The reason I’m writing this tribute is to leave a record for my children and for my cousins’ children who will never meet him or know him the way that we do, who will never know about his wellspring of information and wisdom, love, laughter, jokes, and strength. Today, I am still reaping the benefits from the hard work of my grandfather. HE HAS BEEN A WELLSPRING IN OUR LIVES! Happy 100th Birthday Grandpa!
Today is January 17, 2009, and it is the beginning of one of the biggest moments in U.S. History, The Inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. It is around 20 degrees in the MD/DC area, and President-Elect Barack Obama is making a stop on his Whistle Stop Tour in Baltimore, MD. I debated an
d debated on whether I should go, and at the last minute I decided to trek it in the cold. I could not let this moment in history pass me by. So, I headed to Baltimore. My mom and the kids hung out at the Renaissance Hotel in the warmth while I ventured out in the freezing cold. The line was about 15 blocks long to War Memorial Plaza at Baltimore City Hall. But, it moved relatively fast, and the cold wasn't bad at all. I arrived at the Plaza after going through metal detectors around 2:45 pm. It wasn't full yet, so I was able to find a good spot. I grabbed a cup of hot chocolate and posted on a ledge so I could get a good view of the next President of the United States. I couldn't believe I would actually get to see President Obama with my own eyes. Morgan State Choir song and kept the crowd energized. President Obama was introduced by Congressman Elijah Cummings, Gov. Martin O'Malley and a Whistle Stop Tour train rider, Quincy Lucas. President Obama spoke for about 15 minutes, and it was wonderful watching the crowd's expression and excitement as he spoke. The change he symbolizes goes beyond words. And, I am so happy that I decided to brave the cold to take a part in history. I WAS THERE!!!!
My friends gave me a wonderful shower on December 6th. They tried to surprise me, and I went along with it even though it was funny. Then on Wednesday, December 10th, Sean Edison Caldwell was born. I went to the doctor for my weekly checkup, and my blood pressure was 180/100. It would not go down, so the doctor sent me to the hospital for monitoring. The blood pressure still would not go down. So they admitted me around 1:30, and they induced labor. The epidural worked for about 30 minutes, and Sean was born after 2 pushes at 4:34 pm. It was a good delivery. And, Sam was able to come home for about 10 days to see his new son. He didn't make it in time for the delivery, but the time home was great. Sean is doing well, and Samuel II loves his little brother. It is great watching him be a protector especially in Daddy's absence. We celebrated Christmas on December 23rd before Sam left back for Iraq. We had a great time together, and we are waiting for his return in March.
Today, Samuel had a great day with potty training. He went all day with no pull-up or accidents. We are on our way!!!
It is freezing cold this week. So Samuel is sporting a Dallas Cowboys knit cap. His Dad thinks he's going to be a cowboy fan. But, he also was sporting his New Orleans Saints coat. Go Saints!!!