Stories

Let’s DO MORE in 2020!!

2020 was an eventful year for Magnolia Son and for Christian.  We gained so many friends and supporters of Magnolia Son and we were able to continue to GIVE...

Congratulations Gracie Newell!!

I am late in announcing the recipient of the scholarship this year because honestly we just couldn’t decide. In an effort to make the decision less painless, I enlarged...

I Gotcha ….

I have people ask me sometimes why we give shoes away instead of doing some other type of outreach.  I tell them that shoes for kids are not only...

A Day When Something Began

Webster dictionary defines “birthday” as the day that something began.  Twenty six years ago Christian “began”…. He began as this ball of energy, always smiling, mischievious boy and turned...

Writing the Next Chapter

This year we had a very difficult time deciding an essay winner. There were so many well written papers that captured the spirit of Magnolia Son’s motto of Live...

Scholarship Time!!!

Another year has rolled by and it is that time again!! Time to put your thinking hats on and show us what you have learned over the past 12...

2018 ….. Another Chance to Get It Right

2017 gave us some good days as well as some bad but the constant “bright spot” throughout the year was Magnolia Son.  Whether it was the School Kick  Off...

I Wish You More….

I posted the old Irish tale of “Wishing you Enough” in an earlier post. At the end of the day that marks Christian’s 25th birthday I think it would...

A Christian Moment

Congratulations Kinley Elderidge!!!

Let’s Honor His Life…

Over the past three years I have intentionally kept the circumstances surrounding Christian’s death away from Magnolia Son. Magnolia Son has been the positive to come out of a...

When Your Reach Exceeds Your Grasp

Someone many years ago started the tradition of “Year in Review” which now puts pressure on all of us to write a philosophical accounting of the past year….. unfortunately...

Memory Maker

We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect night last night for what we refer to as Christian’s wishing night.  There was laughter.  There was tears.  There were family...

If Christian was here…….

Everyday in our home you will hear the words “If Christian was here……” at least once.  “If Christian was here the boat would be fixed” …. “If Christian was...

A Full Heart & A Wanting Mind…

I received a card last week from Will and Bailey Dungan.  It was with full eyes and and a full heart that I placed it on the table in...

I Wish You Enough

Tuesday night we were able to give 63 pairs of shoes to local students to help make their first days of school a little better.  My brother asked the...

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Will Dungan!!

The day stands out clearly in my mind. Christian coming in from the store and telling me he had run into Bailey and Mrs. Marilynn at Randy’s. He was...

Romeo, Romeo Wherefore Art Thou Romeo….

It was a 9th or 10th grade English class. Mrs. Clark was the teacher and Christian was the thorn in her side. Walking into class with no pencil, no...

Spectators for Life…

I recently had a discussion with a friend about being “a tourist in life”; not participating in life but coasting along with work and family. I thought about that...

A Perfect Effort

We hear so much about the larger than life college football coaches that win year after year.  Or younger upstarts that create winning teams from programs that have always...

If…..

Growing up there was one Sunday a year that my mother would let me miss church…. Wimbledon Finals.  There were a lot of good memories packed into the two...

Guardian Angel

I received a few pictures from the Boys & Girls Club today.  The smiles were priceless….. so much like Christian.     “Never travel faster than your guardian angel...

Great Love

I am late posting pictures of our celebration of Christian’s birthday.  It was a great way to spend the evening with people who knew him, laughed with him, made...

This Guy….

There is not too much I can say about this guy that hasn’t already been said.  This kid somewhere along the way became this guy… this man who somewhere...

The Sign

As a small child, probably seven or eight years old, I remember writing a prayer that I would say every night. Over the years it became rote recital of...

Is the Cost of Life = To the Cost of a Sandwich??

I heard an interesting story today of two men.  One young and following a path of  hard work and promise, the other older and choosing a troubled path of...

Let the Haters Hate

A few days ago the true intent of Magnolia Son was called into question.  There was a statement made that Magnolia Son was formed to overcompensate for my role...

I Am Who I Say I Am…

One of the first concerts Christian and I attended was Eminem with Pitbull opening.  That was before anyone knew who Pitbull was.  🙂  I told Christian not to tell...

My Superhero

When your children are born you as a parent are the center of their world.  Their existence centers around learning to call you, toddle to you and to show...

What Will Your Footprint Be?

Magnolia Son may not be a large organization but what we lack in size we make up for in heart.  I would like to thank all the people who...

Where Words Fail – Music Speaks

Lost Causes & Second Chances

Today seemed like a good day for second chances, lost causes and hoping for the best.  So why not get out in the sprinkling rain and pick up a...

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!!

I am excited to announce we will be hosting a charity softball event August 22, 2015!  This will be the first Magnolia Son sporting event we have organized so...

Dr. Suess…. Who Knew?

A cat in a hat, a fish in a dish, Thing 1 and Thing 2…. WHO KNEW,  Dr. Suess was so smart about people and places and Life’s little...

Meet You In My Dreams…..

The past 12 months have been a roller coaster of a year.  Looking back 12 months to February 26, 2014 I was probably walking out of the hospital about...

You’ve Got a Friend…

I have always loved reading and have been envious of writers and speakers who put together words that make such an impact on so many people to the point...

Thankfully Grateful

I was not planning to write a post today but as friends and co-workers sent me texts and well wishes starting at 7 AM this morning and continuing throughout...

Happy Birthday to the Original Magnolia Son

Twenty two years ago I was given a second chance at parenting.  Josh had survived the first go around and now it was Christian’s turn to give me a...