As of late I’ve been in contact with my Father, Don Ameche. It’s been a long time, hard to believe some 28 years.

I am thankful that the peace and open-heart I thought I had in respect to my Father was real. So happy it wasn’t just lip service and/or the words of a wounded child trying to convince herself that she’s healed and moved on.

My Father is flawed — just like me. He’s gotten some things in life wrong — just like me.  He’s gotten some things right too — just like me. He just happens to be my Father and as I’ve learned from close to 29 years of parenting, there is no blue-print for this life-journey.

If you’re lucky, you have someone to show you the way — which I did, several of them — and you accept your God-given responsibility by doing the best you know how. And when you don’t know, you ask God to show you. And when you miss the mark (which you will), you ask forgiveness from those you’ve wounded and move forward.

My treasure today is the tranquility and peace that has somehow found its way into the heart of a girl who I once considered the walking wounded.

It doesn’t make me and/or life perfect — I’m still struggling with the realities of Mom’s condition, still worried about the future my children will have, and though damn good (smile), still trying to figure out how to be a better Mother, Daughter, Sister, Aunt and Friend to those I love most.

No, tranquility and peace doesn’t make life perfect but it sure as heck makes it more livable. Thankful for the spiritual exhale…

Happy Earth Day to you. Love your Mother!:-)

Luckie.

Like many in the Geneablogger community, with the approach of the Grandma’s Hand CoAAG, I’ve been carried away this week with many fond memories of the 3 Grandmothers who had such a HUGE impact on my life — Annie, Lena and Fannie.

In my heart, I’d committed to not write about my Paternal Grandmother, Lovella COBB DANIELS {1919 – 2005}.

Given that I’d never really known Chick (her nickname), my thought was that I had nothing to contribute. But, I was wrong — her absence has influenced my life and it bears acknowledgment.

I can only recall seeing my Grandmother twice in my life — both occasions complete flukes. I was 16 and 17 years old respectively, and both meetings carried the same message — Chick was not comfortable with my presence. She was cordial, but very distant and brief.

Then in 1995 I returned to Cincinnati and made a deliberate attempt to reconnect with Chick and my Father, Don Ameche. He was responsive, a you’ve read in my 7 Letters From My Father post. Chick however sent the message that too much time had passed — it was “best to let things be”.

For me that was the end. I never made any further attempt to contact her.

When she passed in 2005, I received the message by way of my Family in Cincinnati and though I’d lost a Grandmother, I had no grief… no anger either, just no emotion.

And frankly, I’d rarely thought of Lovella Daniels at all, until in 2008 I was “gifted” with the family bible that belonged to her and my Great Grandmother, Myrtle Cobb.

This bible has given me something she could not find the will or strength to do while here — a part of her. Because of it I know that she was a God-fearing woman. There are handwritten prayers and scriptures throughout its pages. There are notes about honoring her Pastor’s birthday. There are acknowledgments, by way of child-written cards, that she was a loved Aunt and Grandmother.

Wow. Somewhere in Lovella Cobb Daniels love existed and I believe she and/or God would not allow me to continue living believing she had existed without a heart.

Also because of the family bible received from a complete stranger, I was blessed to learn of my COBB lineage — 4+ generations deep AND the biggest gift — the notation of my [unknown] siblings names!

It’s taken me some time to find the nerve to connect with my newly found siblings, but last night, via Facebook (yes, Facebook!) I chatted with my Sister, “M” for quite awhile and guess what, found out about more siblings!:-)

Who knows what the future will hold? I pray it brings my new sisters and brothers fully into my life. I have more than enough room to love them!:-)

Could it be my Grandmother is behind these coincidental occurrences that are quietly mending the part of my heart that’s been void? Afterall, it is HER bible and Cobb lineage that I am learning of.  And, it is because of her entries that I came to know of my siblings.

Unless someone can prove otherwise, I’m going to believe that my Grandmother Lovella is gifting me from Heaven with what she knows is most important to me — family and Ancestry.

Maybe whatever grieved her on earth has been healed now, and she’s decided to pass it on. Yep, that works for me…

Here’s to the future and healing… thank goodness we never get too old to experience it.

Luckie.

Two days ago I posted research I’d discovered on Rachael DORSEY DICKERSON (not related) and prayed/wished that my Rachael Dorsey would find her way to me.

Today, I squealed, skipped and cried my way out of the office of Georgia Vital Statistics, when a 1930 Death Certificate confirmed that Ailey CODY DORSEY of Warren County is in fact my Ailey, Grandma Catie’s older Sister!

And along with my Ailey, came her Mother and Father, Elbert and Ailey CODY — my 5th Grandparents (identified on the DC) — a Brother, Pierce CODY from the WPA Slave Narratives AND my 6th Grandmother, Rachael CODY born  abt. 1780!

Catie never forgot her family — in fact, we have 4 more Elberts, starting with her Son, Elbert Wingfield born in 1885.

What a day! What a moment! Hold up — it gets BETTER! Two days ago, I wrote:

Based on family oral history, I have no reason to believe that my Catie ever saw Allie again after she was sold away in 1859-60, at the age of 10 yrs, to Rev. James Madision Dickey. The Minister was traveling through Warren to Wilkes County to oversee the reconstruction of the Smyrna Church.

Today after my squealing calmed down, I realized that the street address listed by the informant on Ailey’s certificate, J. T. Dorsey, was what appeared to be 388 Felton Drive, Atlanta, GA.

In 1933 when Grandma Catie passed, her informant was my Great Aunt Daisy (remember from this week’s Wordless Wednesday?!:-), and Daisy listed her address as 333 Felton Drive, Atlanta, GA!

My God! Could it be that Grandma Catie and her big Sister Ailey DID see each other after Emancipation?! Could it be that their children and/or grandchildren were living within doors of one another in Atlanta’s 4th Ward?

I have some more snooping to do, but wow, it’s looking promising and my spirit is uplifted!

Thanks to the Rachaels and Great Aunt Daisy for bringing me this gift today — I so needed it!:-)

Luckie.

I’ve been doing this Internet thingy for many a moon (both personally and professionally) and it’s seldom that anything online can catch me off-guard. However, yesterday was the exception.

While poking around my blog, I noticed that someone online had done a search for my Father, Don Ameche Daniels and my late paternal Grandmother, Lovella Cobb Daniels.

From the search criteria I could tell this person knew EXACTLY who he/she was looking for, that they’d searched 6 times on the same keywords and that the search landed he/she here, at Our Georgia Roots.

I know that visitor took time to read posts and viewed the budding Daniels/Cobb photo album I have online.

I also know that once that person landed here — if he/she didn’t know before — it was obvious they’d landed on a site belonging to Luckie Daniels, Don Ameche’s former namesake and daughter.

All of this left me very disturbed and a bit sad. Who could that have been?

I know that my Father and unknown siblings are out there. I so wish whoever was searching and found me, would go a step further and make contact.

How could I be a true genealogist/lineage-lover and not want to know all of who I am and who I am connected to?

In 1996, due to a series of life circumstances, I found myself briefly back home in Cincinnati and by way of letters — in touch with my Father.

Over a few months, we exchanged 7 letters and the exchange healed my heart.

Before them I was a wounded and abandoned girl, lacking understanding. After them, I was an accepting and forgiving woman, aware that though my Father, Don Ameche was just a simple human, trying to figure life out just like me.

Much of who I am today is due to the words my Father scribed on just a few pieces of paper. He didn’t know it, but he truly gave me the gift of a lifetime — a healed heart and spirit.

I wanted to write these words yesterday, on Treasure Chest Thursday and transcribe the last communication from him penned on September 16, 1996, but just couldn’t find the presence of mind. So forgive my tardiness.

Today the words flow with ease and I will allow the letters to remain between he and I ~ they are a treasure indeed  because in spite of my choice of name, I am and will always be my Father’s daughter.

I pray the next visit, from a loved but unknown visitor, will yield a connection.

May it be so…

Luckie.

P.S. Bet you’re saying there goes that number “7″ again huh? Oh well, I’m just lucky/Luckie I guess!:-)

Yesterday I was the beneficiary of a rare and special gift — In Search Of A Family – The Incomplete History of the FAVORS Family of African Descent by the Paris FAVORS Jr. {1987}.

What a gift! Paris Favors Jr. {1948-1994} was a practicing attorney and Minister, which clearly shows in his beautifully descriptive writing and attention to detail.

After opening my parcel last night from Robert BOLTON {Son of Wade BOLTON and Grandson of Rev. Paris/Parish FAVOR born abt. 1842}, I had not made it beyond page #11 before I’d solved my first Ancestor mystery — who were the elder Paris/Parish Favor’s  parents and slave owner?

On page #7 Paris Favors Jr. wrote:

As noted earlier, I have been unable to discover who were the parents of the Reverend Parish Favors, where he came from or who were his owners during slavery.

After reading a few pages further, I noted a 1986 interview with Wade Bolton of Lincolnton that identifies Parish as having Sisters named Chaney and Le Anna and a Brother named Ben.

I immediately headed to the 1870 Wilkes County Census to search for those names and here is what I found:

• Burrill Favor – 60
• Maria Favor – 50
• Chaney Favor – 20
• John S Favor – 0 (this was a census taker’s oversight)
• Winny Favor – 17
• Ritta Favor – 13
• Leanna Favor – 11
• Edward Favor – 9
• Charles Favor – 8
• Mary Favor – 6
• Susan Favor – 4

There in all its glory were Parish’s Sisters, Chaney and Leanna, living with their parents, Burrill(Burnell) and Maria and a handful of other siblings!

Although there is no sign of  a 28 yr. old Paris/Parish on the August 1870 Wilkes County census (not uncommon for this census!), we do find Mary HARRIS, Parish’s first wife {they wed Dec. 26 1870} living alone with children Lorena 4, Augustus 2 and Hannah 1. Note also: next door to Mary is Henry HARRIS 41 with wife and children. Henry is probably Father or Brother to Mary!:-)

Ok, so next, I wanted to find Paris and his family in an estate record and since I own a copy of the Wilkes County Estate/Inventories from this period {500+ inventories/estates}, I immediately started looking.

Now, Thomas FAVER has long since been the person I believed to have been my Annie FAVER CARTER’s slave owner, as you can see from the August 2009 post about his 1859 Estate Appraisal.

So imagine my reaction when I went to his record first and found Parish’s family listed both in the name ledger on the first page, as well as by the “lot” they were placed in — Lot No. 1 sold to Charles S. FAVOR!

While I don’t see Paris/Parish listed in the lot sale with his family (God, how sad is that?) I do believe on the 1st page of the estate record, the name of the 8 yr. old boy for $750 appearing under the name “Isiah” is “Paris”.

So after examining the estate record of Thomas Faver and the 1870 Wilkes County Census here’s where we are, as of today – I believe Burnell/Burrill {born abt. 1810} and Maria {born abt. 1820} to have been the parents of Rev. Parish Favors. I also believe that “Ben” FAVER {born abt. 1825} was not a sibling of Parish’s as speculated by Paris Jr., but the younger Brother of Burnell — so, Parish’s Uncle.

What else? I believe Squire FAVOR {born abt. 1814} who appears both living next door to Burnell in 1870 and in the Thomas Faver estate record {Lot #2 sold to J.D FAVOR} was a sibling to Burnell and Ben — and get this, all 3 Sons to Winny FAVER found living at age 72 yrs with Ben in 1870 and identified as age 60 yrs in Thomas Faver’s estate!

Not bad for one night’s work and not reading beyond page #12 of 62, huh?!:-)

Thank you Paris Jr., Grandma Annie, Rev. Parish and all my FAVER/FAVOR Ancestors for leading the way…

I’m listening!:-)

Luckie.

[Image Source: Rev. Parish & Jane Claiborn Favors - cover image of In Search Of A Family - The Incomplete History of the FAVORS Family of African Descent by the Paris FAVORS Jr. 1987; circa unknown]

Me and my 3 Treasures – Justis, Jay & Jaiya celebrating Jay’s 28th Earth Day this past Saturday!:-)

Good times… good times!

Luckie.

Woke up this bright Thanksgiving Day morning in my very serene home… with my Mom & kids in good spirits… brewed a pot of coffee… turned on Mom’s favorite Gospel singer, Walter Hawkins and feel blessed to watch my Mom, in spite of Alzheimer’s ugliness, sing EVERY word of her favorite song — Marvelous.

I am blessed Friends, my treasures are the people I love and those who love me. From my 3 kids to my Sisters to my Friends who are more like family — I am rich this day.

Mom has asked me to put all her Gospel music on a disc where she can play it at will and once again, said that she cannot fathom [her words] what she’d do without me.

Can a woman be any richer than that?

Be blessed this and every day Family. Life may not be perfect, but with breath there is opportunity…

Luckie is finally exhaling Toni!:-)

[Image Source: Mom and her Grands {left to right} -- Gina, Jaiya, Jade, Mom, Justis and Jasmine - Thanksgiving Day 2009]