Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Just Married!




Brother Brice and his new wife, Lynette, ride down the streets of Savannah, Georgia in a carriage after their wedding ceremony in front of Forsyth Park's fountain.

Monday, September 24, 2007

Illegal to Reprint Poetry on the Internet

I had planned to reprint the words to Julia Alvarez's poem, "Love Portions," as a part of this post. When I used google to look up "Julia Alvarez," I discovered this website and spent some time learning a little more about the author. I also read this statement: "If you need to get in touch with me about setting up an appearance or an interview or to obtain permissions for reproducing my work, please contact my agent, Susan."

I sent Susan Bergholz an e-mail requesting permission to reprint the poem as part of my blog post and received a response indicating that permission could not be granted. She explained, "I am afraid we cannot grant it as we do not allow posting of author's original work on the internet; it interferes with our ability to license that work. If you have seen any of Julia's writing on the internet, it is without our permission and is therefore illegal."

I had provided a link to another website that reprinted the poem, but I have removed that link and provided this message in its place: "[It is illegal to reprint the words to Ms. Alvarez's poem on the internet, but those words are what I read at this point in my reading.]"

I discovered Ms. Alvarez's poem in a text called Love Poetry Out Loud (Chapel Hill: Algonquin Books, 2007).

Sunday, September 23, 2007

So Much To Do, So Much To Say

I just posted my first two posts in almost a month, and I'm adding this one to the collection. The simple explanation for not posting more is that I've been very busy. I've had good intentions of making several posts about many different subjects, but I haven't found or made the time.

The first few weeks of school have gone well overall. I've been reminded of what an incredible amount of work there is to do at the beginning of the school year. I'm always overwhelmed at the start of every school year, and that feeling stays with me just about all school-year long.

Both of my parents were born this time of year, so within the first two weeks of school opening, I'm also getting together with each of them to celebrate their birthdays. I took my mom to see the play "Vanities" at the Open Space Cafe Theatre, and I took my dad to see Triad Stage's "Little Foxes." Both plays provided us great entertainment. Our community is incredibly fortunate to have these two theatres, as well as many others, each providing some amazing productions for our community to enjoy.

I also had a reunion at Oka T. Hester Park with the fifth- and sixth-grade students with whom I traveled to Australia for two weeks this summer (through People to People's Student Ambassadors program). Out of 30 students, 27 of them and their families were able to make the reunion, and we had a great time getting back together and reflecting on our shared travels together.

My brother also scheduled a big event this weekend: he got married in Savannah, Georgia. I took off Friday and Monday from work so that I could travel to and from the wedding and have some time to enjoy spending with my brother, my new sister-in-law, our families, and our friends. (I'm hoping to post some pictures soon and maybe some additional comments.)

There's a primary election coming up very soon (October 9th). All sorts of other news events have occurred. Some of them I would have liked to have commented on. Sooner or later, I hope to find the time to do so.

My Reading for My Brother's Wedding

For their wedding, my brother and his wife-to-be asked me to do a reading as part of the ceremony. Brice met Lynette right before graduating from Dudley High School in 1992, and they have been dating ever since. This Saturday, they finally got married. These are the words I chose to use:

It was slightly less than four score and seven years ago when Brother Brice and Sister Lynette first met. That was then, and this is now. 1992 is now 2007, and the present time is the perfect time for Brice and Lynette, together, to take their next step forward.

Mere minutes from now, these two individuals who have brought us all together here in Savannah's Forsyth Park will take their commitment to one another to an even higher level than has already existed these past fifteen years.

Like you, I love, respect, admire, and enjoy Brice and Lynette. They are both good and decent human beings, and we are lucky to know them and have them in our lives, just as they are fortunate to have one another.

It is a beautiful, special thing in life when the right man and the right woman, against the odds, discover one another. As right as Brice and Lynette are for one another, there's nothing more appropriate than what we are about to witness. In some relationships, there may be doubts and uncertainties about how well suited two people ultimately are for one another. With Brice and Lynette, no such question marks exist.

Brice and Lynette have already shared more positive moments, better conversations, and greater laughs than some couples manage in a lifetime. Lives best lived are full of diverse experiences, and together, Brice and Lynette have already sought to explore and discover more of the world than they've already known. Now, they're only making plans to keep up such an approach for the rest of their lives.

I have very limited advice for this happy couple because their wisdom in such matters far exceeds mine. They've been my role models, two people I look up to, not least of all because of how good they are to and for one another. I only hope and pray they continue their best practices toward one another, constantly seeking to take their relationship to even higher, mo' better levels. That describes their approach these past fifteen years, and may that remain true every day and every year for the rest of their lives together. Anything less is unacceptable, and fortunately, they both already know and understand that.

I found and would like to share with each of you here today a poem by Julia Alvarez titled "Love Portions":

[It is illegal to reprint the words to Ms. Alvarez's poem on the internet, but those words are what I read at this point in my reading.]

Brice and Lynette, may the scales between you ultimately remain balanced, and may we always see you, together, forever, laughing in the Purple Rain.

The Marriage Ceremony Uniting Lynette Jones & Adrian Brice Floyd

My younger brother, Adrian Brice Floyd, married his long-time sweetheart, Lynette Jones, this weekend.

The three-fold program included the following information:

Front Page:

In Celebration:
15 Years of
Love and Friendship

The
Marriage Ceremony
Uniting

Lynette Jones
&
Adrian Brice Floyd

Saturday
September 22, 2007
12:00 pm

Forsyth Park
Savannah, Georgia

Page 2:

Prelude

Processional

Bridal Processional

Welcome and Greeting
Bishop Willie C. Kendall

Song
Christina D. Shoffner

Seymour H. Floyd

Declaration of Intent

Wedding Vows

Exchange of Rings

Final Blessing

Presentation of Bride and Groom

Recessional

Reception
The Lady and Sons

In Loving Memory
Norman N. Jones III
Lila Mae Floyd
Goldie McGrady

Page 3:

Officiant
Bishop Willie C. Kendall

Mother of the Bride
Shirley A. Jones

Grandmothers of the Bride
Elveta F. Jones
Shadie M. Mobley

Parents of the Groom
Rebecca M. Floyd
Maurice A. Floyd

Brother of the Bride/Bridal Escort
Norman N. Jones IV

Maid of Honor
Christina D. Shoffner

Best Man
Seymour H. Floyd

Hostesses
Mia C. Jacobs-Watts
Christie N. Williams

Musician
Ricky Standard

Wedding Consultant
Karen Moore