Aside from trying to get this blog in before the closing of 2012, this last day of 2012 has been marvelous. I just got out of a nice relaxing,meditative and reflective bath. I love a bath. It takes me places that my physical body just can’t. This time it took me to my graduating class and one classmate in particular I have given her a name over the past couple of years. I call her Ms. Fierce. I remembered when she asked me what that meant and why I referred to her as Ms. Fierce. I told her why I named her that and she embraced it. Not very quickly at first but over time she came to accept what it meant to her. This past year my classmate  – Ms. Fierce went through it. I have southern blood in me so when I use a term like went through it. It means I’m not about to tell you all her business but the child went through hell and she made it back alive. I am very proud of her. The spirit that she carries in her can only be described as Fierce. Fierceness like my best friend Tommy always say’s, is always welcome. I am happy to know that my classmate is alive, well and thriving and pulling out that fierceness in her spirit and passing it on to others. I can read it in every Facebook post that she writes. I remember our youth and there is a song that I know that would send her over the top in tears of joy and remembrance and It’s from that one wonderful spirit himself Dan Folgerberg – The run for the roses

Born in the valley
And raised in the trees
Of Western Kentucky
On wobbly knees
With mama beside you
To help you along
You’ll soon be a growing up strong.
All the long, lazy mornings
In pastures of green
The sun on your withers
The wind in your mane
Could never prepare you
For what lies ahead
The run for the roses so red —
And it’s run for the roses
As fast as you can
Your fate is delivered
Your moment’s at hand
It’s the chance of a lifetime
In a lifetime of chance
And its high time you joined
In the dance
It’s high time you joined
In the dance —
From sire to sire
It’s born in the blood
The fire of a mare
And the strength of a stud
It’s breeding and it’s training
And it’s something unknown
That drives you and carries
You home.
And it’s run for the roses
As fast as you can
Your fate is delivered
Your moment’s at hand
It’s the chance of a lifetime
In a lifetime of chance
And its high time you joined
In the dance
It’s high time you joined
In the dance –   Words by Dan Fogelberg

These words my dearest classmate – Ms. Fierceness may they remind you of who you are always. Where you are supposed to be in your life and the white Palomino that you so often dream of  fly you into the New Year with more love, more reverence, more beauty and more Fierceness. I dedicate this blog to you and to anyone else who has a hard year and to friends of friends who have been there for one another. Pass it on!

Happy New Year Ms. Angela.

James Pearson