Majestic Hearts Along The Mighty Mississippi

As we traveled west in Mississippi through the Capital City of Jackson, two of our teams of runners were greeted by the children and staff of Poindexter Elementary School in Jackson. Debra Sykes, the school librarian, enthusiastically organized about 50 children along with Principal Evan Caine and Mayoral candidate Frank Melton to greet the runners. After a presentation by our runners about the World Harmony Run, all the children had a chance to hold the torch and offer their wishes for harmony and friendship. The hospitality and friendship offered to us at the Poindexter School will be carried with us as we make our way to the Mississippi River and beyond.

Today was to be the first of our numerous crossings of the mighty Mississippi River, and it certainly was no disappointment when we finally reached it. Our small two person team of Atulya and me(Arpan) ran the torch on a very rural and idyllic section of route 80 west of Jackson, Mississippi. The rolling hills were fragrant with the energizing scent of honeysuckle and other wildflowers that are now in full bloom down here in the south. With almost no cars in the first sections of our run, we were serenaded only by the natural sounds of the local habitat of katydids, crickets, frogs and sweet singing birds. Newly cultivated farmlands, creeks, bayous and woodlands paved our way as I could easily hear the sound of the torch flame taking me through this peaceful southern paradise of nature.

Towards the end of our run we again reached civilization as we approached the historic city of Vicksburg, perched high on the banks of the Mississippi River. As I ran through Vicksburg going west towards the river, I caught my first glimpse of this ‘river of rivers’ which has been the lifeline of a huge section of our country, from north to south for centuries. The beauty and splendor of such an amazing yet simple body of water gave me a thrill and a unique sense of gratitude for such grand creations on our huge planet. Although I have seen and crossed this river many times in the past, being in its presence once again is a great privilege for me and one that I treat with humble respect.

After crossing this grand body of flowing water, we met the women’s team of runners who were in the small town of Delta, Mississippi waiting with Mayor Robert Ott and others, including a police escort of three cars. Tallulah, which was 17 miles to our west, was getting ready to greet us as we made our way along highway 80. Along the way, we were also treated to many wonderful experiences even though there was hardly a house in sight the whole way. Tallulah’s sole marathon runner, Alfred McClodden, was also there in Delta to run with our team the whole 17 miles, and even more afterwards. He has run with us from the Mississippi River to Tallulah and beyond three times, and this was to be his fourth. He truly is a great friend and dedicated runner who truly understands the philosophy of harmony through action and self-giving.

Along the way we stopped at the Mound Baptist Church, greeted by three members Edna, Gloria and Cody. These wonderful women showed us the beautiful chapel that was recently rebuilt after a fire destroyed the whole church some years ago. Blue stain glassed windows created a heavenly environment in the pure white and spotlessly clean building.

This was a special treat along the way as the runners made their way through the heat and long stretch of highway 80.

The women runners and Alfred were later joined by runners and coaches from the Tallulah Academy and the Tallulah High School before reaching the city limits. Mayor Theodore Lindsey joined them all at the city limits and carried the torch to the Courthouse lawn where over 50 more people were waiting in anticipation.

A wonderful program was organized by Betty Moore, who works for the city as a registrar of voters. Stan Livingston, the Housing Authority Director, was also with us the whole way into Tallulah. He has come out to greet us many times in the past and said that he would keep coming out as long as we come through Tallulah. Television News 10 and 14, NBC and FOX, was there to cover the event along with the local Madison Parish Newspaper.

Pastor Hamilton, who is also the Principal of Wright Elementary School offered the opening remarks. Pastor Leroy Robinson offered a Prayer for Harmony. We had the presentation of colors by the Cub Scouts and were treated to greetings from Police Chief Earl Pinkney and others. After our running team offered our thoughts on world harmony and gratitude for such an incredible event, we were treated to a song by the local Girl Scouts and artwork from a contest they had on the theme of world harmony. The children’s artwork is always so valuable to the future of harmonious living. We would like to share these creations with everyone by offering a special art gallery section on this website soon so all can view these valuable contributions offered to us from the all the children along the way.

Alfred McClodden and a few of the local runners then offered their thoughts and feelings about the run followed the honorable Theodore Lindsey, Mayor of Tallulah who offered his illumining wisdom on harmony and how it relates to the children and the local community. A group of about 12 Senior Stars, mostly women over the age of 50 who practice varying forms of athletics, one being 84 years old, Miss Rachel, along with Mayor Lindsey’s mom, carried the torch with our women’s team and Alfred out of town on route 65 as we headed north along the Mississippi.

We have so many people to thank for making this such a memorable event from the time we crossed the Mississippi River until we finished our daily run past Tallulah. Having just mentioned a few, I know that I have missed many names, but you all made this experience of Tallulah and Madison Parish a truly valuable and harmonious one as we carry your goodwill and prayers with us to our many destinations ahead.

We are also very grateful to the Lakeview Inn in Lake Providence for providing shelter for all our runners tonight. As we make our way north along the mighty Mississippi River for the next few days, we will never forget the mighty hearts of self-giving and harmony that have welcomed us to this wonderful area of the south.

Arpan DeAngelo

Today’s beautiful experience from Delta Mississippi to Tallulah, MS seemed to be the highlight of the day. The Girls team left Tallulah with another 20 miles to Transylvania, MS. As we were leaving Tallulah’s city limits, feeling the sadness of Our good friend, Alfred, the Tallulah Marathon Man explained that we would easily know that we had reached Tallulah because the water tower had a picture of a bat on it. Although I knew that Transylvania, MS had nothing to do with the legend of Transylvania in Europe, I somehow still carried with me a little bit of angst at the thought of staying over night in Transylvania—possibly having to camp out.

I was the last runner for the day and our actual ending point was at a junction beyond the city limits. It turned out that I only had about .3 miles to reach the junction so I decided that I would keep walking (backwards) until the support vehicle caught up with me. After a few minutes I kept thinking that perhaps I had somehow missed them and toyed with the idea of walking back towards them but my instincts told me to just keep moving forward (walking backwards).

As I continued, I heard a voice ask, “Are you alone?” I looked across the street and saw this beautiful family of 3 girls with their parents, standing in front of their house. At this point the support vehicle caught up and we began inviting them to hold the torch and tell them a little about who we were. But they already knew about us.

We came to know that a fax about the Harmony Run (mysteriously) appeared at their business, the grocery store which was just at the junction. So they were standing outside waiting for us to pass and, to top if off, one of their daughters was named Harmony! Had I not continued walking, they would not have had the opportunity to be part of the World Harmony Run and we would not have had the beautiful experience of meeting Harmony, Stephanie, Valerie!

-- Lunthita, Hialeah, Florida

Southern Hospitality

Today I can truly say we experienced real southern hospitality. After turning up on the doorstep of the Lakeview Resort Motel and receiving complimentary rooms from the kind owner Lawanda, Erik and I headed to the local coffee house “Jehovah Java”. I must admit the name is catchy. When I first walked in I was overwhelmed by the kindness and warm of the owners Don and Linda Boyette. They immediately offered us a drink of our choice, on the house, which was far beyond what I could imagine. Where else could you find such generous people. The south really lives us to its reputation.

Homagni

Don and his wife run the “Jehovah Java” and are both involved in church activities, their shop doubled as the office for the local T.V. ministry station. It had a comfortable atmosphere and was most likely a hub for casual gatherings and church groups. We told them about our activities and they were so enthusiastic and inspired about our trek across America, however, miss Lucy (a lady present) thought it must have been some kind of mistake our coming through their neck of the woods seeing as they are basically out in the middle of nowhere. So at this cozy Christian coffee shop I was served up a tall cup of Malted Moka Frappacino, highly recommended by Don, the barkeep, owner, and pastor of the local nondenominational church. It was so deliciously refreshing after an 8.5 mile jaunt through the baking hot streets of Mississippi that I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. They were so kind to offer us these drinks free of charge, and when the rest of the boys arrived they were also served free drinks. An interesting side, they told us of a friend born and raised from the area, who has carried a cross on his back all across the country and across many countries in the spirit of Christ the savior. He started when he was 30 and now he’s 60 and still going. Arpan has actually seen the man (or some man) carrying the cross in this area on the torch relay in 1989.

While we were enjoying our frappe’s and latte’s in a silent repose, Homagni had the idea to go swimming in Lake Providence. When we asked Don about where we might take a dip he called a friend to see if we could swim off their dock. Don warned us that the woman was over the top or some such thing and when she arrived she was so excited to see all these young men wanting to take a swim, her name was Rhonda.

She told us to follow her in our cars while she led us to her friend’s house. We wound our way through a charming residential area where the houses were situated on the lake. The houses along the way were adorned with American flags. When we reached our destination we observed a large wooden cross in the middle of the yard, we knew we were among religious people. We pulled up into a finely manicured lawn with chocolate labradors prancing this way and that, barking up a storm and in the background were a scattering of massive oak trees which were silhouetted against Lake Providence. It was truly a glorious picture and had such a nice charm and peaceful ambiance. In the serenity of the river, close to the shore, the trees waded in the cool water to quench their thirst and their roots were exposed all about creating a Stonehenge like appearance surrounding the trunks. We were introduced to the inhabitant of the haven, her name was Shelly. Shelly was just as excited as ever to be hosting the World Harmony Run team at her house and she was very hospitable.

We took a walk down to the shores of the river, rambunctious dogs in tow, as we discussed the native marine life, in particular, water moccasins. The water moccasin is a water snake that is feared among some people, and for a good reason because they are poisonous and can make you really sick if bitten, demanding hospital attention. Shelly remarked that she hasn’t seen any snakes down here yet this year, but when I drew near to the dock, I saw something slither into the depths of the water near the shoreline. I exclaimed ‘there’s a snake now” much to the dismay of the water faring folks. Then, when some of the boys reached the end of the dock, they again spotted a snake in the water. Of course, we were a bit unnerved about the possibility of being bitten by a water moccasin a.k.a. “cottonmouth” snake but it could have been some other type of snake also, and we were too determined to take a swim to cop out now. After some talk about the snakes and being scared, the two native women (Shelly and Rhonda), told us not to be “skeered”, and remarked that this was how you pronounced it in the south. “I ain’t skeered”, they said. So after a few repetitions of this mantra and some photo shoots, we assumed the position, ready to jump in on the count of three. One, two, three, we all jumped in (Erik, Homagni, Damon, and Michal), except for Salil who was still contemplating the cottonmouth, however, he jumped in a minute later, but not before Shelly took a photo of everybody suspended in the air, mid-dive, with Salil reluctantly looking on. The water was very refreshing and at a perfect temperature, we swam for only a few minutes (must have been skeered) before returning to the safety of the dock.

Shelly provided us with fresh towels and offered to make us all tea. She told us about her business and website www.allthingssouthern.com and gave us some bottles of her homemade hot sauce. We told her that we were going to be on the local news from an event earlier in the day at Tallulah and asked if she could possibly record it, to which she happily obliged. She was so nice to allow us to come to her house, swim off her dock, and play with her dogs. She was also busy cooking up some crawfish pasta for her husband and was careful not to overcook it while Salil was interviewing her in her back yard. She held the Harmony Torch and stated that she could really feel the tremendous goodwill that we were carrying with us and offering to her. It was a delight to meet a real homegrown southern Louisiana misses right at the banks of Lake Providnce and we are all grateful for the interesting and spontaneous experience that we all shared together at her house—a real southern comfort.

Ya’ll take care now, Ya hear!

Erik

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