Marathon Specialty

Daddy the marathon run is this weekend, are you ready??? I had to get a new MP3 player, the other one decided to trip up and just go kerput. The radio part of it works sometimes, but the is it. I got another and was able to save some music from the radio onto it. Don't know if it equals to 4 hours and it don't have your voice on it either. You are up in my head always to stay anyway. Technology will never live up to the measures of you.

Im ready to get off this marathon daily eating routine. At first is was like, "wow I get to eat all that, yes" but now, Im ready to eat modest. After the marathon I will take a week off and start the cross fit program to gain some muscle. I will continue to run in smaller increments and build back up to the end of the year with a 50k in the high desert with Tanya and Marc December 2009.

Tomorrow I'll pick up my race number, GU, make sure I have a pack of gum too. I have to chew some after I take the GU to shake the after taste. I like the Triberry and the Orange something. They help keep me boosted up and get the protein to my muscles so I haven't had to deal with numbness. I checked the weather for Sunday, it is suppose to be 37 degrees with scattered storms and a high of 73 degrees. Well, I did want it to be cold, but not that dog-gon cold. I set my target goal at 4:30. With it being that cold I might run a 4:10, he he he. Most important, I have your drumstick, that I will be carrying while we run, so enjoy the ride.

I had to change my shoes to. I must have put more miles than I thought to count. But during my last run I was glad to check em to find that, yes indeed it was time. I went back to the running shoe store and they were out of my size and I had to go to the same brand and style. It is to close to the marathon to switch up shoes even though now they have a style new for 2009, $110. I was able to get the same Asis GT2130's, same size, different store different price. Hmmm, the same shoes on sale for $76, regular price for $95 at the running store was found at the sports store same regular price on sale for $59. This is the wrong time to be a loyal customer. My feet are happy with the style that I have, but now that is discontinued I will have to change styles on my next purchase. But still it makes me say "Hmmmm, specialty stores?"

Read Robert Kennedy's quote below photo

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Oh Happy Day!

The first black president!

Daddy, I probably couldnt imagine these words comimg

from your mouth. Living throug the early 60's was hell

of a world trying to create change and not to speak for

our ancestors. The self esteem will change for our children

and their children through this day, change is here. I wish

were actually here to view this side by side with mom.

Here's is our new President Barack Obama.

Hello,
Here's the latest wall mural. It was created for the Cross Fit West Jacksonville center. It stands 12 feet from the floor. I was able to paint as if you there, like back in the day. I remember the first window that we painted together at twelve years old, don't feel to much like yesterday. I listen to you sing "Thank you for letting me be myself again" and I can feel you meaning it. I'm thankful for being able as well. Thank you for being such a great and powerful man. I love you. It was great having you there.

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me and I'm not here to see...

If the sun should rise and find your eyes filled with tears for me.

I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you would today,

While thinking of the many things we didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me, as much as I love you,

and each time you think of me, know I miss you too.

But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand,

that an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand,

and said my place was ready in heaven far above,

and that I'd have to leave behind all those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away a tear fell from my eye,

for all my life, I'd always thought I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for, so much yet to do,

It seemed almost impossible that I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad

I thought of all the love we share, and all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday, just for awhile,

I'd say goodbye and kiss you and maybe see you smile

But then I fully realized, that this could never be,

For emptiness and memories would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things, I might miss come tomorrow,

I thought of you and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through heaven's gates, I felt so much at home,

When God looked down an smiled at me from His great golden throne,

He said, "This is eternity, and all I've promised you.

Today your life on earth is past, but here it starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last,

and since each day's the same day, there's no longing for the past.

But you have been so faithful, so trusting and so true,

Though there were times you did some things you knew you shouldn't do.

But you have been forgiven, and now at last you're free,

So won't you take my hand and share my life with me!"

So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart,

For every time you think of me, I'm right here in your heart.

Hey Daddy,

This is the month I start the Argyle Branch Library mural. This is final draft and I'm pretty excited about it. I had to make some changes to it. Like they didn't want the base of the feet to show. I had them bare and exposed. I had to add computers, because libraries offer more than just books to the public. Other than that, they really allowed me to be a free spirit on this one. The library's theme is "Start Here, Go Anywhere." So that helped me to developed the concept 'Book Park' and my imagine ran from there. Instead of a sidewalk I created a book-walk, bookmobiles for cars that the kids drive while they are reading, book-boards for skateboards, a book-bed instead of a bunk bed, air-book for flying imaginations.

They go into the park ready to read and come out broadened with more to read. Kids go to bed with reading on their minds, just like PJ. Two of her stuffed animals are included. Luv-luv has her back to us, she is the one with the long pink tail. My personal favorite part of all is the bird's metamorphosis into the the book. Where the little boy is flying is area that I enjoy viewing in the mornings when I'm out running from the house. I love this view and the raise of the sun and sky I anticipate creating extraordinary.

Regions Bank are the sponsors of this public art project. I am so thankful I can make a living using my talents. Thank you Daddy, for all the Christmas windows and business's we painted together from the age of 12, out in the cold and all the stories you shared. For teaching me how to handle my business before I really ever had a business.

I love you,

Your Pamela Ann

Good Morning Daddy

This December I will run with your drumstick during the marathon,
I'm looking forward to it. I had on my running gear since 4:30am
but I don't have a sitter and Partner is in DC.
Actually I'm exhausted from our travels
this month and I probably needed the day to rest.
We have two more trips before the school year starts mid August.
Its has been a great month, I was able to run in DC, VA, ATL and Orlando.
I will start training at the end of August.
In a couple of days we will see Momma
and spend some with her
(and I'll get to run some hills too!)
I love and miss you.

Pamela Ann

Passion for the Run

Run . . . . . . . . . . . Jog . . . . . . . . . . . Scoot . . . . . . . . . . .
thats me and my crew!!!!


Hey Daddy,
I'm working on this new image to hang in the bedroom. Its on hold, while in my head Im thinking of running and art, my passions are battling it out. I dont know what excuse I can use for the canvas other than running is winning. Well, I guess I need to complete my picture or it will just sit on the easel for a month. I think I need to stick to the running art and get out the bedroom. HA. oh, well.
July we are traveling the whole month and I wont be here to work on it. But as you know, got running shoes, will travel. What I do like about traveling, I get to run in a lot of differents states and elements. I havent entered any races out of town. But I do enjoy the hills. I'll start taking pictures when Im out of town and posting them. (I got that from Marc and Tanya), they are the ones I introduced to you that run 30-70 miles, yes again in one day.
Above, I posted my girls. I dont know if they would like that I added them, but since they are my girls, they shouldnt. We help and encourage one another, just like you do for me when out there alone. Our next event is not until August, however Im still running steady.
I love you
Your Pamela Ann

Marathon for you

Hey Daddy,
You know what? Running a marathon is really nothing. They're people who run 50 plus miles, yes in one day. Guess you knew that, well I really never paid that much attention. I kept just hearing folks tell me that they wont do it with me or start training and bail out before we hit 10 miles. The challenge is all in your head, and once the mind is made up, the body just to have to go along for the ride and eventually appreciates the journey.
I know I have set my goals and achieved what I thought I wanted on the marathon circuit, but you have always shown me not to settle. Its been over five years since my last marathon and I have relocated out of state, menopause, new friends and a new perspective later... I have decided to keep going, because I can.
I will dedicate my next marathon in memory of you, every mile and every step. Thank you forever being by my running stride. I will run a half marathon October, a half in November and a full December 14th of this year.
I Love love and Appreciate you. Looking forward to sharing.

Your,
Pamela Ann

Joi, Peace and Happiness

Hello Daddy,

We pray for peace and I know you have it.

We pray for happiness and Im glad that you give it back.

We pray for joy we have to give to receive it.

Thank for giving your all and your sharing your love.

We love love you.

From your brother James

Just remember as a kid, how much I wanted to be like him; very smart/intelligent; studious; driven; focused; charming; loveable; talented musician, producer and writer; and so funny…we use to tell some good stories; after taking leave in the Army; 1974; I stayed w/Art and Lela for a week or so…had the best time in my life; our family is such a resourceful culture and mixture of persons/personalities of which are untouched resources…we could unite as a family and connect to the network collectively that we all have…skies the limit….that’s the vision your dad had for us as a family; to keep in touch and “take care of each other”; that’s what your grandmother, Aunt Tutta, Aunt Zee did for us…we need to instill that in our children; we have “very” extended family needing some “bridge work”…overall, I think mother and Paper Tee would be proud of us, all…

-----Original Message-----
From: James Williams <jwill@insightbb.com>
To: pammajoi@aol.com
Sent: Fri, 5 Oct 2007 7:09 pm
Subject: RE: A Thought...

Hey girl…hope things are going well…gonna try and call Lela sometime this wkend; been thinking bout her lately…I sure miss Arthur Allen J

I want to live my next life backwards: You start out dead and get that out of the way. Then you wake up in an old age home feeling better every day. Then you get kicked out for being too healthy. Enjoy your retirement and collect your pension. Then when you start work, you get a gold watch on your first day. You work 40 years until you're too young to work. You get ready for High School: drink alcohol, party, and you're generally promiscuous. Then you go to primary school, you become a kid, you play, and you have no responsibilities. Then you become a baby, and then... You spend your last 9 months floating peacefully in luxury, in spa-like conditions - central heating, room service on tap, and then... You finish off as an orgasm. I rest my case Leave A Smile JW

Personal Best Lately

Hey Daddy O,
I went to a 5 mile running event yesterday. Did you see me?
I was free, comfortable and focused. I had a great run.
My pace was best that it ever been in a while, a long while. I end
up finishing five minutes fastest than I had anticipated.
Well, you know how I do. I gotta keep on truck'n.
I love you.

Pamela Ann

Hello Daddy,

This is my latest oil on canvas 36" x 48". Four very distinquished civil rights leaders, I call them messagers. Ali, I can relate to his messages most of all, that's why I made him the focal point. They all have been very influencial, just like you. I will continue to pursue my dreams by any means necessary.

I Love You,

Pamela Ann

Momma Is getting Out

Hey Daddy,

It's been a while. I've been hanging with Mom as much as I can. She is not letting much grass grow under her feet. We drove up to the bay area and down to the San Diego convention center. She was thrilled to meet Chris Gardner, the guy featured in the movie "Pursuit of Happiness"

On our travels we reminisced, laughed, cried, laughed some more, smiled in your enormous quiet energy. It is quite pleasant what you have given us.

She worked a couple of conferences with me. It worked out very well, she's a people person.

She's missing you so much as we all do. I am always feeling you. I appreciate you always being the beat that is so deep my heart.

Tristen and Joi enjoyed Granmer being in Florida during the Christmas holiday and it seems she was elated to be here as well. I love and miss you.

Pamela Ann