Young Love circa 1950

Proverbs 30:18-19
There are three things that amaze me—
no, four things that I don’t understand:
how an eagle glides through the sky,
how a snake slithers on a rock,
how a ship navigates the ocean,
how a man loves a woman. (NLT)

Zenobia McClain and Perry Howard at their high school prom.
The couple married and had four children:
Terri, Donna, Mark, and Michael

How the couple connects to my family
Perry Howard is the son of Alex Howard and Byrnetta Bryant
Byrnetta's aunt Mamie J Bryant married James Coleman, my 1st cousin 2x removed

Photograph Courtesy of Anthony Neal, Sr

Love in Silence

James & Jimmie Marie Jordan Shephard shared their lives in silence.
The couple was deaf.

James was from Hazlehurst, MS. He was born about 1895 and died Sept 1970 in Detriot, Michigan. He was an uncle to my aunt Annie Bell Shephard Ealy.

Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
1 John 3:18

Photograph courtesy of Shelia Easley, the couple's granddaughter.

His Banner Over Me Was Love

I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.

As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.

As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.

He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples; for I am sick of love.

His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me.

I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor wake my love, til he please.

Song of Solomon 2:1-7

The photograph is of Cousin Allie Mae and her husband John Henry Moncrief. The marriage survived many decades until his death in 1980.

Photograph courtesy of Allie Mae Markham Moncrief

Forever and Always

Forever and Always
by Chris Engle

When I'm with you,
eternity is a step away,
My love continues to grow
with each passing day.

This treasure of love,
I cherish within my soul,
How much I love you...
you'll never really know.

You bring a joy to my heart
I've never felt before,
With each touch of your hand
I love you more and more.

Whenever we say good-bye,
whenever we part,
Know I hold you dearly
deep inside my heart.

So these seven words
I pray you hold true,
"Forever And Always
I Will Love You"

When I first saw this picture, I thought to myself that this is what love looks like...serene, peaceful, contentment, restful, thankful. Ada Markham, my grandmother's sister, married Ernest Spencer in 1914. The marriage lasted for 57 years, until Ernest's death in 1971.

Photograph courtesy of Anita Smith Christopher, granddaughter of Ernest and Ada.