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Our Southern Souls Sunday: Produce, Proving Yourself and Honoring a Mother's Wishes

Author

Lynn Oldshue
September 08, 2024

Welcome to Our Southern Souls Sunday. I’m glad you’re here. This week’s stories are about produce, proving yourself, and honoring a mother’s wishes.

“I wanted to be in the military since I was six. An Army veteran talked at our school; I wanted to do what he did. He told me I would change my mind. I was like, ‘Probably not.’ Joining the Army seemed selfless and a way to give back. I was supposed to do that.

Nothing prepares you for being in Iraq. When I got boots on the ground, it was like, ‘Okay. This is not what I was thinking.’ I was terrified with a young child to think about.”

Mike at Publix

“This produce department is my happy spot. It’s usually the first or second stop when a customer comes in. I want produce to be your best experience in the whole store. If you feel good here, the rest of your experience should be good.

My wife and I moved south to Daphne in 2022.This store is where I’ve gotten to know people.”

Flashback

The Fairhope pier is one of my favorite places to do Souls because people there are often getting away to unwind or to think about life. Some are celebrating, others are grieving or trying to work through their pain.

I met this woman at the pier when she was waiting to pick up her sister from a college class. She was taking this time to clear her head and consider where she wanted to go in her own life. She was holding onto promises she made to her mother, but it wasn’t easy. Keeping those promises meant setting aside some of her own dreams. Our talk was a reminder of strength and resilience as people carry on.

“My mother died four years ago. June 16. The cancer diagnosis and her dying in Thomas Hospital happened so fast. That pain never goes away. You just learn how to deal with it. Mama was my rock. She taught me to work hard and love others. Before she died, she made me promise to take care of my younger sister. That is a promise I keep no matter what, but it isn’t always easy. My sister let fear take over her life since our mom died and does not drive.”

Click here to read her story: One Day Mama Will Be Proud of Both of Us

From Lynn

Last week, I was in line at a Fairhope thrift store and watched an older woman buy a keyboard for the two young men behind her. She didn’t know them, but their excitement about making music made her happy. She talked with them and paid for their instrument when it was her turn. It feels good watching strangers be kind to each other.

We had a nice sunset after a gray, cloudy weekend.

Thank you for sharing a part of your Sunday with Souls. If you have suggestions for folks I should talk to, email me at [email protected].  Have a great week!

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