As we wave farewell, or at least say “See ya’ next time,” to this pandemic, and soon 2022, I note that both took from me my mother, as well as several irreplaceable and close friends.
Those losses helped me appreciate even more those still in my world and clarified that I might let more of them know what they mean to me, while they are around to hear it.
My firstborn,Marylynn Barclay Crane Carsonturns 30 years old this week. Where did all that time go?
Well, in answer to that, our young and loving child grew into an incredibly intelligent, considerate, kind and beautiful young woman, largely due to an incredible upbringing by her mother,Nancy Lowery Powell. Barclay would go on to Auburn University, graduating in exactly eight semesters (four academic years), Summa Cum Laude, already having a job with Teach for America.
Her first teaching post with Fulton County, at an elementary school almost literally at the foot of one of Hartsfield-Jackson Airport’s runways, was a challenge.
I think it taught her a lot about herself, about people and these times we live in, and about the occasionally volatile nature of public education. She soon moved back home to Gwinnett County and another teaching position there, alongside her mother, a career educator, at Tripp Elementary School.
While still at Auburn, in her condo with a roommate who remains a close friend, she met her backdoor neighbor and now husband,Cody Carson. The pair had grown up about three miles apart but attended different schools and never met until moving to Auburn. Location, location, location, as they say.
Cody, also a fine young man, raised by a loving family and in a family business, formally asked for Barclay’s hand and on June 18, 2016, the pair were wed at The Vecoma on the Yellow River in Lilburn, surrounded by friends and family.
Those two don’t mess around with indecision as they simultaneously moved into their first home in Grayson. Barclay was teaching with her mother at Tripp, and Cody was learning the family enterprise as well as handling client sales innearby Winder. Two dogs and a three-legged cat rounded out that first household.
These two were ready to start their family, but an 18-month period of two difficult miscarriages would follow, though their union remained strong, and they grew even closer together as a couple. The third time was the charm, and though that pregnancy was not without difficulty, our famed Mighty Mites,Callen and Carter, arrived Sept. 18, 2020, nine weeks ahead of schedule.
In case you are not noting a pattern here: Barclay was born on Dec. 18, she got married on June 18, and the boys arrived on Sept. 18. Though Cody’s birthday is May 17, she organized and spaced everything else quite neatly at threeand six-months apart.
This fall, Barclay moved to Head Elementary, closer to home and as an ESL instructor working a half-day schedule, which allows her to be home with Callen and Carter just after lunchtime. Her mother, Nancy Powell, covers the morning shift, immediately following her retirement as a multi-time Teacher of the Year at Tripp, and prior to that Pharr Elementary. Nancy also continues to enjoy work in community theater and lives nearby in Snellville with her husband and Barclay’s stepfather,Danny Powell.
To in part accommodate the larger family, Barclay and Cody relocated to Lilburn, where they have thoughtfully and lovingly renovated their home while welcoming twins and situating the dogs and cat.
Health challenges continue to be a reality for our Mighty Mites, but each time they rebound with immune systems that I think will one day be able to knock down skyscrapers.
And through all this, while creating a second business,Barclay Carson Photography (as well as assisting her old man out with Graphic Design at CSI Crane), Barclay, always with a smile, marches on.
I could not be any prouder, nor love her anymore, without spontaneously combusting, and that would probably mess up my hair. We love you, Kiddo. Happy Birthday and thank you for bringing so much happiness to so many, and for inspiring so many of your students to love learning and hopefully lead long, healthy, happy lives.