Finding Direction: The Wind Vane Chronicles

I told you last post what happened to Tom Friday night in Jackson that was such a scare to him.  Well – here’s the good news that he had been celebrating that evening.

He was in Jackson for three days at a Mississippi Press convention.  He was excited because he was going to spend some time with his granddaughter, Hayley, Friday afternoon and evening.  He told her to dress up because he was going to take her to the governor’s mansion for a reception for the press association and then out to dinner.  You see, she celebrated her 11th birthday last Wednesday and is becoming quite a young lady.  (Photo below.)

He had planned to take her picture with Mississippi’s governor, Hailey Barbour, because the governor and Hayley have the same first names.  But, alas, the governor was not in town, although they did get to talk with Mrs. Barbour.

Tom had a friend take some pictures of he and Hayley together at the reception, but they were all out of focus.  Bummer!

After the reception, he took Hayley out to eat at P.F. Chang’s for an oriental dinner – Hayley’s favorite.  He also gave her a small framed photo of her mom, Tom’s daughter Kim, who died when Hayley was just 4 1/2.  The photo (below) was of Kim at 6 years old with pigtails on each side of her head.  We scanned it and fixed it up for Hayley and put it in a little pale yellow enamel frame with a flower on it.  Tom said that Hayley didn’t know who it was, so he had to tell her it was her mother.  He said she really loved the little photo and frame.

Hayley looks a lot like her mom.  Kim was tall – 5’10" – with legs as long as Tom’s, and he’s 6′ 2 1/2"!  Hayley has long legs, too, and is going to be tall.

First, here is Tom with Hayley Friday afternoon:

And, here is Hayley’s mom, Kim, at 6 years old. 

Love your children.  And love your grandchildren.  They are the most precious treasures in the world.

Many blessings to you all today!  Dee