The longer I live the more I think and the higher value I place on family and friendship. In my family and friends I have discovered treasure more valuable than gold. Hodding Carter told us and I concur that “there are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings. 

Today, Sunday July 22, 2007 Debra and I took Alexis to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to board a flight to New York. Alexis received an invitation from one of my best friends, the super successful and super rich New York Attorney Jeh Charles Johnson to visit his family. Jeh and his lovely wife Susan are just wonderful to invite Alexis to visit so soon after their return from their European vacation. I told Jeh that Elly May Clampett is on the way.  

When we arrived at the airport ticket counter I was surprised to learn that I would have to pay an additional $100.00 because Alexis was too young to fly alone. I told the ticket agent that I purchased the ticket online and there was no indication that there would be an additional charge. The Chinese ticket agent looked at me and pointed her finger and said “I am sorry sir, but it’s the rule! I reached in my wallet and paid the extra fee, because I realized it would be fruitless to argue with the agent since it was the rule! 

Uncle Jeh called on Saturday and told Alexis that she will be attending a Broadway Show in New York on Sunday. When Alexis asked which show she was thrilled to learn it would be “The Color Purple” In fact Jeh told me that Alexis will have so much fun she won’t want to come home. Alexis is very fond of Jeh’s kids. 

Well Alexis could hardly wait to tell her friends about her trip and first solo flight to the “Big Apple”. She jumped on the cell phone and called one of her girlfriends and began to tell them the details. Alexis’ friend responded: “Oh my God! You’re going to be the next Natalie Holloway, Let me get my speech ready now!” Alexis began to think and got a little worried, but soon returned to a state of exhilaration.  

Alexis is a very intelligent child and I trust that she will be safe. She is very aware and will follow my instructions to the letter. I am looking forward to Alexis getting broader exposure. In Alabama we don’t dress for dinner, we usually don’t have a maid and a butler and we definitely don’t live in houses with 900 windows. I have taken her to Greystone so she can become accustomed to the huge houses, but on the East Coast there are houses that would put the houses in Greystone to shame. So I am sure it will all be fun, but a great experience for Alexis to see how the other side lives!

In the words of my dad: “Stay away from the pig ears and fried pork chops.  Eat more fruits and vegetables.”