This is just a darn nice thing to do. Bring the kids, the aunts and/or the uncle for a simple but nice remembrance of veterans buried at Covington Cemetery #1 (one from every American conflict since the War of 1812 through Vietnam and both sides of the Civil War).

It's a good thing.

The Knights of Columbus collected over 450 gently used and new coats for children and young adults so far this year. There is still time to donate at Aquistapace's Covington Supermarket.

There is one more distribution combined with Greater Starlight Baptist Church's toy giveaway on Saturday, December 21st, from 2 - 4:00pm.

After getting her coffee, she waited for the crosswalk light to change before proceeding across the street. As she was legally proceeding across, a woman was turning left onto Boston from the Meribo side of Lee Lane. She did not yield to pedestrians as the sign clearly states she has to. Instead, after almost killing my sister who is 5 months pregnant and my 11 month old nephew, she rolled her window down and yelled at Jennifer "You're the one who went." Jennifer was legally crossing the street. My entire family could have changed in the blink of an eye because some woman couldn't obey a very basic traffic law. Jennifer walked to my office because she was very upset. She was shaking, crying and scared. No one should have to experience that.

I think the Mayor's office and the Police department needs to put out a PSA to make people aware they need to pay attention and obey the rules. I love Covington. I have called it home for 44 years and my family has for many years before me. Covington is about to be filled with many holiday shoppers. There will be families, small children, elderly, locals and out of town guests up and down the streets of Covington. No one should feel the fear my sister just felt while simply trying to cross the street. 

I know the job of Mayor is not easy as well as the job of Police Chief. I have great respect for everything you do and have done for our City. I thank you for your time and hope to hear back from you.

Jessica

Now my Mama used to tell me (read this in your best Forest Gump voice), "Now Mark, look both ways before you cross the street." I suggest that's still pretty good advice … even in a crosswalk.

Tim Lantrip is certainly one of the pillars of our community: Patron to the arts, successful businessman, great restaurateur (The English Tea Room) … always there to lend a helping hand.

Prior to the city purchasing the old Shell Station at Boston Street/ Florida, Tim purchased Beth (the mannequin) and currently has her in safe keeping until she returns to her rightful place on Boston. Very thoughtful.

A few years ago, Tim was crossing Boston Street at Columbia. He was in the crosswalk and had the right of way. All the cars on Boston Street had properly come to a stop. Unfortunately, a driver traveling on Columbia Street recognized the light had changed to yellow and understood how long he would have to wait if he didn't make this left turn onto Boston. He rushed through the light colliding with Tim and tossing Tim many yards down the street, cracking Tim's skull and leaving him lying motionless in the street. One could almost sense the Angels of Death gathering on the street. Tim spent the next few weeks in intensive care in a coma on life support. During this time, his father (deceased) and several other men came for Tim. His father told him "I have come for you son." Tim told his father, "No, I'm not ready to go." Tim remembers floating above his bed and praying harder than he had ever prayed in his life. His father said, "Let me go check with the others." Tim then saw the most brilliant colors of light he had ever seen before or since. His father and the others turned around and left. The brilliant light faded away and Tim returned to his coma. Over time, Tim awoke from the coma, left the ICU, convalesced at Christwood (where he first told me this story). Today, Tim is looking good, funny and personable as ever and again walks the streets of Covington.

This was not my first experience with ancestors and the logistics of transitioning from this earth to the afterlife. When my mother was battling colon cancer, she was admitted to Ochsner Hospital Main Campus on Jefferson Avenue. Karen and I stayed at the Brent House (the hotel connected to the hospital). It was the same hotel my mother and her mother stayed in in 1962 when my grandfather was dying (and died there).

One evening I walked from the hotel through the large hallway towards the hospital. The hall was empty and quiet. Suddenly, I was enveloped by a powerful feeling as I had never felt before. I immediately knew it to be my grandfather Murphy (of whom I have no memories). There were many spirits behind him trying to communicate with me but his presence was too powerful. He said, "Roy and Irene have had a wonderful marriage, but now it is time for her to come back to me." Glad to see you, too, grandpa (I didn't really say that).

1) It was important what he said about my parents' marriage because it was one of which he did not approve. 2) I was now blessed to know that my mom was not going to survive and the best I could do was make her as comfortable as possible over what would be a couple of months.

Fast forward a few weeks to the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Mom lays motionless on a sofa in her den. I am told she can hear everything I say even though she never moves. Our plans to celebrate Thanksgiving at our oldest son's home in North Carolina with all his brothers and their families has pivoted to all of them flying home to see their grandmother before she passes. Slowly, one by one, I tell Mom where each boy is flying in from (NC, Atlanta, New York and the youngest from Athens, GA). I mention that our oldest granddaughter, Madeleine, will be coming as well as our newest - two month old Emery Amelia Johnson … Amelia being my mother's name. Mom has yet to see her namesake.

Mid-morning the next day Mom sits up on the couch and begins having a conversation just as if you and I were doing so at this moment. However, she is not talking to those of us in the room (my sister, Tami, my wife, Karen, our housekeeper of 40 years, Nola and me). She's talking to her father. She is filled with joy to see him and speak to him. One by one, she describes each of her four children … as if someone had asked. The smile on her face was incredible. She then begins with her grandchildren. With my laptop already open I became a stenographer as she continues the conversation,

"I hope to see the babies. See Markie? I see Evan, see Kramer, see they're all so good. I see Kramer, he's going to be good with the baby. Nick is so handsome, Nick is going to be so good. He's coming.

The girls are wonderful, the girls are going to be great, they're pretty, beautiful in their??own??way?? (not quite sure exactly what she said here).

Hank and Gordon and Tami and Roy … everybody is going to be alright. they're going to be good, they're gonna be fine … take care take care. (She doesn't mention me, LOL).

Where's Claire? Where is … stupid me … Where is she? She isn't here … no, not Claire Fay, somebody else. That's not Claire. I don't want to talk to her.

I don't understand why Claire Fay, I'm not talking to you. I want to talk to somebody. Why is she talking to me? (Mom getting very annoyed).

She isn't. Why doesn't she listen to me? Why doesn't she listen to me..

Back to Crosswalks

Yes, as a pedestrian you have the right of way when crossing on a green light. However, you should not take it for granted that every driver will honor that right. After looking both ways to be sure traffic has stopped for their red signal, look forward at oncoming traffic to be certain they are not turning in towards you. Then, look behind you to be sure that driver has seen you and is not turning into you. One needs to look 4 ways when crossing (not just 2 like Mama said).

As our friends and family members enter the cross walk from this life to the next, please know it can be a good thing. Ancestors on the other side gleefully await their arrival. It is important to let those passing know, when the time is right, that it is OK to go.

Next to last note: The day after Mom spoke with her father, I asked her, "Who is Claire Fay?" She said "a friend from high school … who never stopped talking."

Check out Mom's penmanship on the chalk board.

Last Note: I usually write my e-mails over the weekend and send them on Tuesday, but this past weekend nothing came to mind. On Tuesday, Crosswalk to Heaven hit me like a bolt of lighting. I spent much of yesterday writing. This Thursday morning, I shared my musings with the Lantrips for their review. They were pleased and so I send it this afternoon, Thursday, December 5th, one week after Thanksgiving … the same day my mother died … all by Happenstance.

Replies to this e-mail go directly to Mayor Mark.

Rooted in History, Focused on the Future

City of Covington, How Do I?