Phoenix, Lionel Richie, and Jesus!!!!

(There is a point to this post; just follow closely. You know how I can ramble sometimes.)

Eudora Welty

One of my favorite short stories is " A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty, a writer from Jackson Mississippi who wrote about Southern Life. In this story, the main character is an elderly African American woman "Phoenix, who makes a periodic journey into town to obtain medicine for her little grandson, who has swallowed lye and will probably never wholly recover. Phoenix has made this journey so often that she can do it by a kind of interior radar, and thus her mind is free to wander while her feet stay on track. She meets only one person on the road, and thus the beginning of the story is dictated by her interior thoughts, which are somewhat confused and therefore confusing to us, the readers" (Storybites). It is implied that each time she makes this journey it's like a rebirth for Phoenix; she gathers new strength and makes this trip with renewed determination.

So, I want to think that Eudora Welty named the main character after the phoenix from Greek mythology. "The phoenix is consistently characterized as a bird with brightly colored plumage, which, after a long life, dies in a fire of its own making only to rise again from the ashes. The most universal characteristic is the bird's ability to resurrect. Because it is reborn from its own death, the phoenix also took on the characteristics of regeneration and immortality" (New World Encyclopedia). Are you seeing the connection between the two Phoenixs who both experienced a type of rebirth. (Keep following me as I make a leap.)

On a road trip during my Springbreak last week, I downloaded the new country CD "Tuskegee" by Lionel Richie. Listening to that CD, I felt a new love for Lionel and songs that were written and song in the 70s and the 80s: "Say You, Say Me," "Easy Like Sunday Morning," "Endless Love" etc.  Then I thought about the short story "A Worn Path," the phoenix from Greek mythology, and Jesus: Resurrection. (Being on the road gave me a lot of time to think, maybe too much time.) Lionel is experiencing a rebirth or resurrection like the Phoenixs and Jesus.

Lionel Back in the Day!

Lionel Today. HOT!!!!!!!

However, it's Easter Sunday, and many people are celebrating the ultimate Resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe that all rebirths or resurrections are modeled after the resurrection of Jesus Christ; killed but rose three days later and has given us a chance to reconnect with God, assures us that we will rise again, confirms that justice will prevail, fufills the prophecy of the Bible etc. 

Today, Easter Sunday, I am reflecting on resurrection and the fact that we all get new chances everyday to resurrect ourselves, our lives, how we see things etc just like Phoenix from "A Worn Path," the phoenix from Greek Mythology, Lionel Richie and JESUS.

Thank You God for Resurrection!