Hello everyone.  I hope that you all are doing well and staying safe.

Well, for me the last 4 weeks have been emotionally draining.  In the last week, my family and I funeralized and laid my father to rest.  He transitioned on Tuesday, April 14^th, but due to the mayhem of COVID 19, we were not able to take care of all of this until just last week/weekend.   Also, we could not have a normal funeral service because only 10 people at a time could be with him; everyone had to wear protective gear (masks, gloves, etc.) as well as stay at least 6 feet apart.   It all seemed so impersonal—soo unlike my father.

For those of you who have been with me and the radio show for some time, you know that I have shared parts of my life over the years with you all.  One part that I shared was that my parents divorced when I was 8 or 9 years old.  As a result, me and my siblings were co-parented.  We lived with our mother but spent weekends, alternate holidays, and summers with my father.  Here’s much more…

My father was born on August 16, 1934 in Canton, MS to Florida B. and Wallace May Sr.  He was third youngest of twelve.  He attended Cameron St. High School and Alcorn State University.  He also served in the United States Military (as he was quick to point out, non-combative, just in communications) and was honorably discharged. My father received Christ at an early age although over the course of his life, you rarely found him in a church. However, you better know that he was a true believer. He was a dedicated member of the Elks Lodge most of his adult life. He worked for a furniture company in Canton, Mississippi before migrating to Chicago, Illinois to work for Ford Motor Company.  He was a Line Supervisor when he retired in 1998 after 30 years of service.  We still marvel at the fact that he never owned a car.  After retirement, he enjoyed travelling between Chicago, IL and Canton as well as other places in the United States.

He married twice in life.  First to my mother, then years later after another special relationship ended; he met and married his wife of the last 37 years of his life, Nervine.  He also loved his children (I’d like to think especially me, his shadow lol), grandchildren, and others. My father was a real man who cooked.  I remember enjoying his delicious breakfast and dinner meals. He also enjoyed working with his hands, as carpenter, gardener, and player of his imaginary piano. When I was younger, he told me that he could actually play the piano (just a little bit) at one point in his young life.  You see, his mother was a prolific pianist as were some of his sisters.  He loved singing too as well as listening to jazz.  His love for music was second to none.

My father told us that when he was younger, one of his favorite past times was baseball so he played in and later coached a team for a time while still in Mississippi.  So fast forward to life in Chicago, every summer, he would often gather us and our friends along with other children in the neighborhood to take us to play softball.  We also enjoyed many skating trips too.

He had numerous friends and was instantaneously loved by all that he met, young and old.  Everyone enjoyed talking with him and just being in his company.   No, he was not a rocket scientist, supreme court justice, nor perfect- but we love him unconditionally as he is/was. This, is not easy.  We are grateful for the love memories and along with my mother and brother, will miss him so much.

Well, continue to stay safe and be well.

The next show date is planned for  Saturday, May 9th, 2020 on  https://www.youtube.com/MarilynsCafeSociety.  And, be sure to “like”, subscribe, SHARE, and follow my social media platforms at marilynscafesoc on Twitter; Marilyn’s Café Society on Facebook, YouTube; and marilynscafesociety.com.  Peace.

Live. Laugh. LOVE.

Marilyn