A Day of Celebration and More

It was a day that my wife and I had been anticipating for a while. This day was to be a day of celebration in honor of Gary Grant, President of the Black Farmers and Agriculturists Association, on his 66th birthday. We had not been in Tillery since February. It was good to be back.

We reminisced as we drove along country roads in rural North Carolina. The corn looked about ready to harvest. The soybeans and cotton looked to be the beneficiaries of a decent amount of rain of late. Old curin' barns along that stretch of land. Ramshackle houses, no longer occupied by those who worked the land. Large houses up lanes off the road looked to be well kept much of the time. We were in an area that was 97% African American.

As we pulled into an area known as the "Tillery Resettlement Community," things became even more familiar. "Over the Farm Road" was among the roads over which we'd passed in recent years. We pulled up to resettlement section 46, and on it we saw a pair of resettlement houses pieced together by the occupant, the gentleman we'd celebrate. Parking was across the road, adjacent to his parents' house and final resting place. We parked. As we crossed the road and walked up the lane, Cary came out to greet us with his warm smile and gracious hug. He had been there for a while getting prepared for the people who were soon to arrive.

Two large white tents were in the front yard, round tables were set under them, and folding chairs were ready for the seating. Spencer, our friend from Kansas was there, helping with finishing touches. Soon Gary emerged from his house. The party was on. Again, words of welcome and warm hugs fell upon both of us.

The crowd began to arrive. Diverse it was. A farmer's daughter and her three sons greeted us. We'd met in 2005. Her voice was unmistakable. She told her story within the context of her father the farmer's story of struggles in dealing with the USDA. She was proud to introduce her sons, and I was pleased to meet them. We talked of family, sports, and academics.

Off in the distance, up and over the trees that lined the Roanoke River, the clouds darkened, the wind began to blow, and we knew that rain was coming. First off in the distance, and then around us, and then blowing sideways into us, we were not terribly prepared for the interference that came.

By this time, numerous elderly friends had arrived. Those who were not able to get into the house before the rain came were forced to huddle in the middle of the tent.

But not even the rain could dim the joy of the day, and after all, aren't farmers generally glad for rain whenever it comes? Same on this day.

It was a day of food, BBQ, fried fish, birthday cake of other delicacies.

It was a day of celebration with music, singing, and dancing. Gospel and R & B sounds came over the speakers. We marveled at how a 66 year old man still had moves.

Friends had come from across the country, Kansas, Massachusetts, New York, and Oklahoma. Politicians, ministers of the gospel, and advocates were there. Academics, farmers, and Concerned Citizens of Tillery were there. We were all in various ways connected to the man and the causes.

My honor was in leading the opening prayer. Others spoke words of tribute to this good man. Others quietly ate their food and enjoyed the festivities.

Some faces I missed seeing. They were elderly and feeble and couldn't get out. Others had passed.

We indeed celebrated his birthday. Even more, we celebrated the cause of righteousness for which he stands and for which he is laying down his life, environmental justice, Black farmers, the history of the Tillery Resettlement Community, saving a community school in a nearby community, and others.

The day ended with a walk across the road to the final resting place of the parents, Matthew and Florenza Grant, who had left an amazing legacy still lived out by their children. A group of us chatted, and then we formed a circle and a local pastor led us in prayer. As we opened our eyes, we turned to see a rainbow as it filled the sky off in the distance.

It was a birthday party. It was much more. It was held in the middle of a historic community. It was held on a farm. The crops looked good. It was a day of celebration and more.

Congratulations, Team IV and Friends

Though I've been away from ACU and the MFT program now for exactly a year, it was my fondness for the program, what it is all about, and the students who were graduating that drew us back into Abilene yesterday. Sure, we have family here, and it is more than sweet to share the time with them in their home. And, we have friends who love us here, and time is too short to see them all except for glimpses and bring hugs here and there.

The banquet always proceeds graduation for the MFT program at Abilene Christian University. Last night it was held in the Hunter Welcome Center. So, last night was one more in a long, long series of wonderful events in which God, gifts, and grace abound. Student representatives gave moving speeches. The graduating class offered their usual and customary spoof on the program and their love for each other, and, no, I do not zone out for ten minutes of rabbit chasing in class lectures; I only leave for five minutes. We need to keep an eye on the clock.

Comments by all indicated that it was an amazing year led by a Christ-spirited, servant-hearted second year class. Mathis Kennington received the Outstanding Second Year Student Award. Gretchen Etheredge was the recipient of the Spirit of the Counselor Award, both wonderful students from a great class of graduates. Among that group of world-changing people are three who formed Social Justice Team IV. We presented at two conferences, the second one with a bit of twist with Native Americana in it (amazing how similar land loss issues are for American Indians and Black Farmers), and met up once in Ada, Oklahoma, my new hometown, to fine tune where the project was going. Their contributions are chronicled elsewhere in these pages.

Daniel is going to College Station, Texas with his bride, Raquyyah is going to the University of Louisiana at Monroe to enter doctoral studies in family therapy, and Ty Mansfield is heading to Texas Tech, home of the Red Raiders, up in Lubbock to do the same. All three of these people are big-hearted and socially conscious, and will continue to make the world a better place, one social justice effort at a time.

I am looking forward to following these three into the next phases of their academic, personal, and social justice journeys; and I'm looking forward to all who will graduate tonight from Abilene Christian University.