You Just Can't Beat It!! Good times was had by all

Letter from a OLD FOLK Roy A. Hayes written last year

Sandra and I dropped in on the old folks ... uh, the Roots Picnic, this past weekend.

Listen, when you can look out over a park, with 200-300 people of all colors and ages present and you can pause at a certain face, that you see, smile because you see a particular hair style, on the horizon, or a particular walk of someone, you've known for fifty years, you're experiencing an historical moment. Your reaction to the moment doesn't matter. It was still a historical moment, a part of your past. Through the people, I saw there, I was able to relive my life, from the time I was ten years old. It was an amazing experience.

The Burns: Billie and Noreen, Johnny and Debra Mobley, the Tuggles: Jack and Mary, Wayne and Darla Ross, Butch and Debbie Harrison, Paul Pearson, Jim Hunter, Willie Campbell and his wife, Sandra, Herm McKinney, Joby and Donella Goudeau, Lenny and Marilyn Wilkins, Robert (Woody) Woodard, Carl and Donna Hightower, the Follings: Donnie and Jonnie (aka- Marilyn), My daughter, Nikki and her husband, Toby and my grandson: Trevon Anthony, Teddy Benning, Marvin Johnson, John German and his wife Frenchie, Rhonda and Perry Wilkerson, Dennis Williams and his wife Liz, Gary and Cita Carr, Clarence Williams, Rev. Braxton and his wife, Sheila, Levi Fisher, Bob Flowers, Terry Johnson and Pamala Shamsid-Deen, Greg and Marcia Johnson, Terry Banks, Mel Brown and Clarice, Jimmie Mack, Lamphus Harvey, and Carl Smith, Sonny and Sue Byers, Carlton and Sheila Holmes, (whew!) weren't there, but their names came up in conversations along with lots of other folks, who weren't there.

I looked at the older people from my past and smiled because they were giving me a taste of what was ahead for me. Their stations in life varied, but they are still here and we can all appreciate that. We've been blessed, no matter what our station in life is. We are still here and the people at the picnic can tell you, how many of us are gone on to some other place, not of this earth.

At some point, you've got to find that middle ground. That place where you never get too happy and you never get too sad. That place, that tells you that you are ok, where you are. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not promised, so work with what you got, today, in this moment! If it hurt a moment, ago, it doesn't mean that it has to hurt, now. Every moment, after most pain, is a healing moment, if you let be. You decide I I want to thank each and every one of the folks, who showed up at that historical event. smiled and hugged the ones that were there and sobbed a little, for the ones, that, for whatever reason, could not be there.

It's funny how, when you miss folks, you think of and talk about the good times you had with them and that's what we did at the picnic. We reminisced about the good old days.

I saw Mona and Joe Jones, Roman and Sandra Williams, Cynthia Jones, the whole Mitchell clan was there, Bill Lowe did the MCing, a few of the Beavers were there, Carver Gayton, Butch Williams, Phillip Morrey, Ernie and Pat Dunston, Eddie and Andrea Rye Jr., Willie Minor, Randy Cross, Dan and Sojn Hudson and lots of others, whose names I don't remember, at this time. Sorry! I had a good time and Sandra will tell you that, I spent a lot of time, just grinning and hugging folks.

Anyway, we're going back next year, if we're able. I hope that all the people, who were there come again, along with some others, who couldn't make it this year. It'll be our pleasure to see them all, again.

Like I said, a whole lot of old friends and family, all in one place, eating, laughing, sharing information and enjoying themselves.

I'm telling you ... YOU JUST CAN'T BEAT IT!

OLD FOLK

Roy A. Hayes

We look forward to seeing you again in 2026!