Miss Julia’S Front Porch

By Jenny Lyn

Mrs. Julia Reid Paxton was a wonderfully gentlewoman who graciously accepted the challenge of writing a book with me which would say all those things to the children of the world that she was unable to say to children of her own. Her life was filled with the memories of missionary service in Cuba, then Florida, San Antonio, Texas working with Mexican-Americans, and her final year as a missionary was in Houma, Louisiana. Upon retiring from that service, she continued the same work on a daily basis with people in her hometown, Lake Charles, Louisiana where she was born at home and raised. Her activities included organizations in and outside her home church, First United Methodist Church on Broad St. Although she was born into a large family, she and her husband, W. W. Paxton, had no children of their own. Love delivered to all children she met filled that spot in her heart. Her own mother, Annie Henington Reid, was very religious and was the most influential presence in her life. Her father, Andrew Jackson Reid, the Chief of Police in Lake Charles, died of blood poisoning when she was twelve years old.

The characters in this book are fictitious combinations of family, friends and imagination of this writer. The delicious taste of her imaginary life as my Grandma, only teased my appetite for more interviews with this colorful yet humble lady. Her outlook was perpetually optimistic and she never looked back for regrets. Not listening enough to others was her self criticism. According to her, this was very important in getting along with all people. Lake Charles was her home close to her church and life long friends until her death in 1999. Her inspiration was motivating and I truly miss our time together as I dedicate this beginning to her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Sep 19, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496937414

Jenny Lyn

Jenny Lyn was raised, attended school, married, and started a family in Louisiana. There was so much history and art everywhere you turned. Influenced by this rich colorful environment, she recorded her thoughts and dreams. The words captured on paper turned into poetry. In the beginning, it was an escape for her mind was exploding with images to conceptualize. When her husband’s employment sent them to Lake Charles, she met a wonderful woman named Miss Julia in her church. This delightful lady had a full life and graciously accepted the invitation to be interviewed. She saw the world and the people in it from a different angle than this author ever had. Miss Julia had a positive attitude and a gentle way of speaking that charmed the flowers to grow. Her family and church keenly influenced her life. She was a tremendous inspiration to all the people she touched. She was the basis for the character in this fiction, and the author hoped, pleased with the telling.

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© 2014 Jenny Lyn. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 10/13/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4969-3742-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-3741-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014915485

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Appendix

Acknowledgements

There are a few people that I would like to thank for encouragement to publish my writings. I would be remiss if I failed to thank God for adding these wonderful people to my life. Without Him, this would not have transpired.

Miss Julia Paxton, of course, was such a delightful inspiration in creating these chapters. Her constant positive words provoked desire for this character to be created and exposed. She never wanted any credit or lime light, but I could not have omitted her.

My pastor, Rev. Jeff Conner, who with his positive support and shepherding, is the example I looked for my whole life. He was responsible for confidence to try to publish my poetry and now this short story. Kudos to you Rev. Conner.

My husband, Darrell, always loved and blindly supported my efforts, and his reward was my happiness. He was the most selfless person I ever knew and I loved him with all my heart. The hole created in my heart and life when he passed is a crater that may never be filled.

Trey, my joy and life force, kept me going and read my work giving unprejudiced suggestions and insight. He has grown into a man his father and I are so proud.

Introduction

Saturday was such a good day. That was the day that Mom and Dad went to do errands and shopping, and we got to go to Grandma’s house for the day. We loved to go there. She made wonderful cookies and told us stories. We could play out in the yard and climb the big old oak tree in the back. By the time our parents got back, we were bathed, fed and exhausted. They always asked if we were any trouble, and Grandma always said, No. They were angels, as usual. Of course, that was not the case, but for the most part, we did what we were asked and abided by Grandma’s wishes. She had a way about her that made us believe everything she said was the gospel truth. We thought she was perfect. When we needed correcting, Grandma was so gentle and understanding, that we were ashamed before she finished. The incident was never mentioned again, and we didn’t