Dear Reader:

It is the first day of our Ya 2023 Spring Reunion at ( none-other) than our favorite haunt at Edisto… Rest in Peace.

As I have gazed through old reunion snapshots …this year’s date appears to be our earliest spring reunion since we first gathered-normally in mid or late May or June. (I think we realize that as we grow older together it is best to “side” on early over late. Time waits for no man and certainly not Ya Ya’s!!!)

The title picture gave me the idea for calling this year’s gathering ” Magnolia Moments” because like the photo reveals… we can still bloom with the best of ’em but every year more spots appear on our ” leaves.” 😂

After snapping this picture from my neighbor’s front yard… I researched the history of magnolias and started laughing… they are quite symbolic of our ” place in the sun right now.”

FOSSIL discoveries reveal that the magnolia has been around for hundreds of millions of years. It existed before 🐝 BEES! ( See that Brooke… our own Miss Bee?) *Since there were no bees , magnolias depended on ” Beetles” for pollination. Sounds good to me… I take Paul.. )

Perhaps the best metaphor for our “Awesome Four” is that magnolias symbolize endurance and perseverance.

These days… every year, every anniversary, once everyone has made their appearance… we look around and breathe an audible sigh of relief while whispering a silent prayer of gratitude! We did it… life is good!

In 2016… we shared this poem together ( first stanzas) appropriately called Beginning Today! Our words of wisdom for the week!

So until tomorrow the ” Magnolias ” are blooming with happiness and ” spotlessly joyful!