Ma Belle

           When I was a little girl we had the strangest contraption on the wall that we called a “phone!” Children today would find its appearance so funny I am sure. But some of you remember the old telephones – a box that had a “rotary” dial on it and the handset itself was attached to the phone with a stretchy, coil like, rubber cord. The rotary dial had a finger hole for each number that you had to physically turn with your finger. If you had a number with a “9” in it, you had to wait forever for the dialing to be complete! In most homes, the telephone was strategically placed on a central wall where it would be convenient for everyone in the house to access. I remember our old black wall phone with the white numbers and letters. It was on the end of the hall wall at the kitchen. One side of the wall was our formal living room; on the other side was the hall that led to the bedrooms and bathroom. In front of each side of that wall where the phone hung, were the kitchen and the dining room/den. I remember once when my sweet Daddy was “tethered” to the phone. He had that long coil phone cord stretched down the hall and was sitting in one of our old wood dining chairs as he talked on the phone. Unfortunately, he was sitting in the chair that had been glued back together after the wear and tear of my little brother leaning back in it. Daddy was talking to old Mr. Hodge from our church. He was a talker that Mr. Hodge. As Daddy sat and listened, the chair collapsed! Daddy went one way and that old phone receiver went the other - both bouncing down the hallway! Poor Daddy finally scrambled to his feet, picked up the receiver and Mr. Hodge was still talking up a storm! He never knew the difference. My goodness the memories I have of that old phone. I still remember our phone number to this day.
 

          Down South our phone company was South Central Bell but was affectionately called “Ma Bell.” I never really understood why it was called “Ma Bell,” but perhaps it was because “she” was what brought us all together. You could share stories, news, wisdom, express love, and even the latest “gossip” through Ma Bell’s lines. I really think because of that, she should’ve been called Ma “Belle!” Truly I do. There is nothing like a southern belle who just has that nurturing way about her. You know the one that makes everyone feel welcome, loved… the one that has that special way of bringing everybody together. So I suppose my post tonight is for all the “Ma Belle’s” out there. Maybe some of the young belles and beaus see you as an old fashioned box on the wall that isn’t as trendy as their sleek little handheld gadgets. But you know something? Let them have a problem with their boyfriend or husband, or need a perfect recipe for their first dinner party or family supper and you are worth your weight in gold! Let them need some mending on their favorite shirt before a date with that sweet sassy girl next door and you are priceless!

          “Ma Belles,” never underestimate your value to your world. The truth is, you are the glue that holds it all together; you are the foundation and the heart of your world. Whether you are actually a mother or not, you were born with that special “something” that makes you indispensable to those around you. It is a tough yet tender combination. I talk just a bit about that in my book “Journey Within My Heart.” The fact is, belles are created with a resilience that defies human logic. They face the day with a smile on their face, handling monumental tasks with the ease of a professional. They lead their “troop” and take care of their clan with confidence and authority and embrace those under their care with a love only God Himself can equal. They embody what it means to have courage - not an absence of fear, but a relentless determination to never give up. Women are their world’s “constant” in the middle of ever changing circumstances. It is their responsibility to keep themselves and their loved ones balanced in adverse situations. No wonder somebody once stated “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!”
 

           So my sweet belles, I hope you will go take a good long look in the mirror at that beauty of a woman staring back at you. You are fabulous dahhlin’! And for all the young belles out there; I hope you realize what a resource you have in that beautiful belle you call mama, or granny, aunt, “Ms. Neighbor” or teacher. Oh they may not have a clue what a “chat room” is, but if you take a moment to sit face to face and chat with them, you will come away with more wisdom and insight to face anything that comes your way. They may not have a “timeline” where they can “post on a wall,” but they have written more in your life and the lives of others than all your Facebook friends put together. You see my belles, times and methods may change, but life is pretty much the same as it’s always been. Every belle has felt ugly, shy, insecure, lonely, and afraid. Every girl has tried to discover the mysteries in the minds of men and the ways to a man’s heart. There isn’t a belle who hasn’t been heartbroken by a breakup, devastated by a friend’s betrayal, confused by things beyond their control and misunderstood by their folks. It’s kinda funny how the older you get, the more you realize just how little you know and how comforting it is to have those “Ma Belles” in your life. My own mama is now 75 and my Maw Maw is 92 and I am grateful for every day I can pick up my phone and call them when I need someone to listen and understand. And I try my best to be as patient as possible with Mama when I send her a text message or a picture on her cell phone and she is clueless as to how to retrieve it. You gotta laugh when she picks up her “house phone” to ask how to use her cell phone! But I wouldn’t trade those moments for anything…