A FINAL TRIBUTE TO MY FATHER: ~ PAUL NEHEMIAH JEFFRIES ~

Paul Nehemiah Jeffries
(May 3, 1932 - June 25, 2013)

Let me begin by saying that although I'm a senior citizen; I feel like the young girl who adored her Daddy and now has to say farewell to him for he now belongs to the ages. Oh Pop, God speed and bless and take care of your spirit for during your lifetime you took care of and assisted so many others on this journey.  Our last conversation, several days ago, was over shared news that was humorous and we expressed how good it was to hear the other one laugh. You left us so quickly but I will remember until my final transition; the exchange before we ended the call. 'I love you Pop' and 'I love you too..take care'.

This is a re-posting of my 6/26/2011 Father's Day Tribute:

Father's Day is upon us with all the advertising associated with those special moments the day will bring.  In fact so much so that I got my Sundays confused.  So--I'm a little early with the tribute. With that said, my thoughts have been on stepfathers in particular for sometimes they get a "bad rap". Just like the evil stepmother, this particular group has had some bad press over the years.  Some--deservedly so and others who don't get the praise afforded to them like the "real" ones.  My stepfather is a member of the latter.  Mr. Paul Jeffries..I call him "Pop" and I call him love.

He came into my life during early adolescence when a young precocious girl with an  independent mother needed an intervention from a strong, principled man.  There was some resistance at first.  I wasn't too happy about running to my mother's side during the night after a nightmare or a thunderous storm and being turned away because of this "person" who now shared her bed.  Time and unconditional love served us well and he was my pop for life.  He was strict and at times compassionate when discipline/punishment  weren't the best options.

I appreciate this song, 'Dance With My Father Again' by Luther and although my father is still living--age compromises our ability to dance together again.  However, I will always remember when we danced at my debutante ball sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.  My Pop is from a working class background, highly intelligent and could handle a conversation with the best of them.  We "showed out" in a sophisticated manner that night. ^◡^  You were magnificent Pop.  Mama sat beaming as we were presented and walked down that excruciatingly long aisle.  I truly felt like a princess that night..though. *sigh*

FATHER'S DAY MUSINGS: A TRIBUTE TO JAMES L. MOON, JR.

James:  Spring

The other day I was addressing Father's Day with our daughters and as usual; they were stumped as to what would be fitting for their daddy.  He's not the easiest person to gift and his standard reply would be rather vague.  Marathon phone calls with them are his favorite.  He enjoys the bantering and dispensing advice as requested and delighting them with his 'corny' jokes. Oh and music...he's been back with his group "The Valentines" which he gave up years ago after a few recordings. They along with other well known artists were celebrated in Nashville for their participation in "Night Train to Nashville" which heralded all the soul artists that came out of Tennessee from 1945-1970.  In fact, it was a red carpet affair held at the Country Music Museum and the CD won a Grammy in 2004 for best R&B historical recording.  Our daughters got a chance to see and find out more about their  father as a young man who had hopes of being entertainer extraordinaire while matriculating at TSU.  We met at the latter and I must say the 44 years I've known him; 42 of them as his wife; he continues to amaze me with his energy, resolve and creativity. The 10 yr. old boy in the above picture was described by his mother as quiet, intelligent and somewhat 'sneaky'. She hastened to add that he was a good son and made her proud.  Lākie and Rev. James L. Moon, {both deceased} are to be commended.

James:  Summer

In 2011, I did a tribute post to my stepfather on Father's Day for I viewed him and others that take on the role of Dad as overlooked or as having a 'bad rap'.  I did another post on what "Men of Vision" meant to me.  The unsung men in our communities whom we see everyday and know, yet, they are overshadowed by the hype of those who disappoint us.  Balance was the buzz word.  We know and hear constantly about those who perpetuate the worse of humanity and I wanted to showcase the men who make us proud.  This personal tribute is long overdue for sometimes those who are the closest are not so much taken for granted as they create a normalcy that meets our expectations as to what are the characteristics of a good father.  We don't compare or overthink the concept....it just is!

Kamilah, Niya & Lākie

 *Reminiscences of Our Daddy*

 James Lawrence Moon Jr.,  I am so proud to be your daughter.  I am so grateful for every thing you've ever said or done for us, for your steadfast love, patience and guidance.  I love and accept the man you are - outside of your immense role in our lives.  I pray for your continued health and for your personal fulfillment.  My sisters and I are extremely fortunate to have you as our father and friend!
Kamilah

Thank you Dad for being such a dedicated Father, for being a friend....from when you would sing to us and teach us songs to stay safe ("watch your hands, watch your feet, watch your shoulders, watch your seat") to taking me to cheerlead at wrestling matches, violin practice, and coming to my rescue when I was in a crunch with my would-be first apartment in Baltimore.  I love you for the sacrifices you've made for me and the support and hugs.

Niya

Dad, I want to thank you for being the best Father and taking care of us all these years and even now accompanying me to the fitness gym and keeping the motivation high as I challenge myself to lead a healthier lifestyle.  "Always There"  is my theme song for you.
Love,
Lākie 

 

James:  Fall

Happy Father's Day James and I must say that I've been very impressed during  the seasons of our life together on how you took on that role and made three young ladies happy and secure with your love.

 By the way, there are a few articles related to Father's Day that I think should be read. There are some who state that we should honor them 365, however, I don't see a problem here for we can do both.  We can honor them every day and still set aside a day of recognition.  One doesn't cancel out the other.  This perspective also pertains to Mother's Day and or Valentine's Day.  We don't have to box ourselves in an either/or stance.  "Many things are true at once".  Love that quote.

Links:
 'I Am A Father'
'Single Black Dad: You Can't Take My Child' 
'Bytes and Bytes:  Father's Day - A Day of Honour'? 

MRYLIE EVERS EMERGES AGAIN IN THE NATIONAL ARENA ON THE 5OTH ANNIVERSARY OF MEDGAR EVERS' ASSASSINATION.

The other day I tuned in to 'The View' and Myrlie Evers-Williams was a guest and Whoopi Goldberg and Barbara Walters were interviewing her. The anniversary of Medgar Evers assassination is officially Wednesday, June 12th.  What got my attention and admiration was her honesty about her feelings regarding his assassination and where the country stands 50 years later.  She has stated in several interviews that she was not only angry about the circumstances that led to his death but what we are seeing now with voter suppression issues and emergence of overt racial hostilities towards not only African-Americans but other minorities in this country. She's made peace regarding the man who shot her husband after her 30 year crusade to bring him to justice which she did in a determined and justifiable manner.  The anger lingers as she so emphatically stated because of "those things within the system, not that it embraces, but that it allows prejudice and racism to persist."

I searched again for her autobiography published in 1999; Watch Me Fly to refresh my memory regarding the trials, tribulations and triumphs of this graceful woman.  There were articles and interviews during that time when she was on speaking tours and continuing to live a full life which entailed college, parenting, remarriage, solidifying a declining NAACP, endeavors that led to Byron De La Beckwith's conviction in 1994 and again enduring widowhood in 1995.  

 

Medgar Evers: July 2, 1925 ~ June 12, 1963

There are times when I wonder if Mr. Evers was an unsung hero of the civil rights movement. You just don't hear that much about him like some of the leaders who followed in his footsteps.  He took on the incredibly dangerous task of field co-ordinator of the NAACP, engaged in many activities to fight discrimination and the violence suffered by blacks in Mississippi and the south.  He fought for a re-investigation into the lynching of Emmett Till in 1955.  He organized demonstrations for equal employment and voter registration drives.  He recognized that his life was in danger but his tremendous courage kept him moving onward until his assassination in 1963.  There is a quote by him that embodies all that he withstood in order to further the cause of human rights for all; ""You can kill a man, but you can't kill an idea."  His wife, Myrlie Evers wrote a book about her husband and what he stood for; titled ' For Us, The Living'.