Tag Archives: love

In Loving Memory of Jean: A Life of Grace, Strength, and Devotion

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BREAK IT DOWN!

From time to time, I share a personal post. This week is one of those times.

There are many metaphors for the fleeting thing we call life. The list includes, but is not limited to:

A Journey

An Adventure

A Rollercoaster

A Garden

A Stage

A Book

A Battle

A Puzzle

Climbing a Mountain

Sunrise to Sunset

That’s 10; suffice it to say, there are many more. 

A couple of months ago, I attended the homegoing service of a longtime family friend, who was a centenarian. A couple of weeks ago, I attended the funeral of a nonagenarian; the mother of one of my good friends. This past weekend, I paid last respects for a dearly beloved octogenarian cousin. Three Black women, wives, mothers, grandmothers; all three educators. Cumulatively, they amassed 284 years of life on this earth. So many of us were blessed and highly favored by their presence.

Indeed, each of them was extraordinary, and lived an amazing life. Nevertheless, this post is about Jean, and for her family. I met over 67 years ago, June 6, 1959, the day she married my first cousin, Jesse.

Jean Rhem Wiggins, age 88, was born on January 17, 1938, in Kinston (Grifton really), North Carolina, and entered eternal rest on July 1, 2026, in Durham, North Carolina. The years 1938 and 2026 are on opposite sides of the proverbial dash. The dash represents her life well-lived. 

She leaves behind a legacy of love, perseverance, faith, and quiet strength. Jean carried the spirit of her hometown throughout her life: a spirit rooted in family, dignity, hospitality, and resilience. Those who knew her will remember not only the years she lived, but the grace and spirit with which she lived them.

Jean’s life was marked by devotion to the people she loved. She shared a meaningful life and lasting bond with her husband, Jesse, and she was the proud mother of her children, Cedric and Cynthia. Through them, her love continued to grow across generations. She was blessed with four grandchildren, Jessica, Shirai, CJ (Cedric Jr.), and Jason; one great-grandchild, Skylar; and two beloved goddaughters, Spring and Cheryl, each of whom held a special place in her heart. To her family, she was more than a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, or godmother; she was a steady presence, a source of wisdom, and a reminder of the importance of faith, kindness, and togetherness.

Jean knew all too well what it meant to endure. After beating cancer, she subsequently spent years on dialysis. She faced the demands of illness with courage, dignity, and determination. The journey was not easy, yet she continued to show strength in ways both visible and unseen. Though Jean and I had known each other for decades, we really became close as she contemplated dialysis. After she decided to try it, she and I spoke almost daily. For years. Every once and a while, Jean would call me. But, mostly, weekdays, weekends, at home, traveling, on the highway, in hotels, in airports, from NY, California, Hawaii, Africa, Asia, Europe, I called Jean. It was our daily constitutional. 

She enjoyed it. She didn’t understand why I did it, but she knew she enjoyed it. I did it for her. I did it for Jesse. I did it for Cynthia, and Cedric, and for Jessica, Shirai, CJ, and Jason, and for Skylar, and Spring and Cheryl. I did for my family because I knew they needed their matriarch. She was their rock, and anything I could do to help keep her engaged and fighting for another day would make them happy. That made me happy.

On June 30, I visited her at Duke Hospital and later at Hock Pavilion Hospice, where it was clear that after years of labor, treatment, and perseverance, she was tired. Even so, she was at peace with her decision to transition from labor to reward.

Jean’s passing is deeply felt by all of us who loved her, but her life continues to speak through the memories she leaves behind. Her laughter, her words of encouragement, her lessons, and her love will remain treasured gifts. She helped shape the lives of her children and inspired generations of students she taught. Her grandchildren and great-grandchild inherit not only her name and family history, but also the example of a woman who lived with purpose and dignity.

Those who were blessed to know Jean understood that love is often shown in simple, lasting ways: in a listening ear, a familiar voice, a gentle correction, a warm welcome, or a prayer offered at just the right time. She gave of herself in ways that mattered. Her presence brought comfort, and her memory will continue to bring strength.

As family and friends reflect on the life of Jean Rhem Wiggins, we give thanks for 88 years of life, love, and perseverance. From her beginnings in Kinston to her final days in Durham, and the days in New York, Greensboro, High Point, Columbia, and Richmond in between, her journey was filled with meaning. Though she has departed from this earthly life, the love she gave remains alive in the hearts of her husband Jesse; her children, Cedric and Cynthia; her grandchildren, Jessica, Shirai, CJ (Cedric Jr.), and Jason; her great-grandchild, Skylar; and her goddaughters, Spring and Cheryl,  and a host of extended family and friends and classroom pupils.

Jean will be remembered with gratitude, honored with love, and missed beyond words. May her soul rest in peace, and may our entire family find comfort in knowing that her life was a blessing, her strength was an inspiration, and her legacy will continue to be a resonate forever.

Farewell; rest in eternal peace Jean! “In Loving Memory of Jean: A Life of Grace, Strength, and Devotion!”

I’m done; holla back!

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.com. Find a new post each Wednesday.

To subscribe, click on Follow in the bottom right-hand corner of my Home Page at http://thesphinxofcharlotte.com; enter your e-mail address in the designated space, and click on “Sign me up.”

Subsequent editions of “Break It Down” will be mailed to your in-box. For more detailed information on a variety of aspects related to this post, consult search engines for more information on the subject.

In Loving Memory of Jean: A Life of Grace, Strength, and Devotion

This post was augmented by the use of AI.

Mother’s Day: A Celebration of Everyday Love

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BREAK IT DOWN!

Mother’s Day is more than merely a date on the calendar—it is a reminder to pause and recognize the steady, often quiet work that mothers and mother figures do every day. While gifts, flowers, and cards are common traditions, the heart of the holiday is gratitude.

As I reflected on the coming weekend, it occurred to me that though I’ve shared the story of losing my mother to the abdominal disease called cancer when I was 8 years old, in 19 years, I’ve never written a Mother’s Day post. A close examination of my psyche would probably reveal there are some deep-seated reasons for that omission. Not to worry, this post is not that assessment.

No, today’s conversation is an invitation to reflect, however briefly, on the people who have cared for us, guided us, and helped shape who we are, even when their efforts were unnoticed or taken for granted. Despite the overarching theme that mothers are underappreciated in general, trust and believe, Sunday, May 10, 2026, will be the busiest day of the year for telephone calls. Verizon, just one network, Verizon, indicated that over 394 million calls were made on their network on Mother’s Day, 2024, totaling 28.3 million hours on the phone. And as noted, that’s just Verizon. Can you hear me now? 

A mother’s love is frequently shown through ordinary moments: waking up early to prepare breakfast, staying up late to help with homework, offering encouragement after a hard day, or listening patiently when someone needs to talk. They nurture us, teach us, protect and defend us, promote us, boast about our accomplishments, and boost our confidence when we falter.  

These actions may seem small individually, but together they form a powerful foundation of support. Mothers often carry many responsibilities at once—balancing work, family, and personal challenges—yet still find ways to make others feel safe and valued. Their strength is not always loud or dramatic; it is steady, present, and dependable.

Mother’s Day also gives us the chance to recognize that motherhood takes many forms. Not everyone is raised by a biological mother, and not every family looks the same. Some people are supported by grandmothers, aunts, older sisters, foster parents, stepmothers, guardians, or mentors who step into nurturing roles. These mother figures deserve appreciation too, because they provide the same essential gifts: care, guidance, and love. Celebrating Mother’s Day can be inclusive, honoring anyone who has offered patient encouragement and protective kindness.

The holiday is meaningful not only because it celebrates mothers, but because it encourages us to express appreciation out loud. Many people assume their mothers already know how loved they are, but words matter. A sincere “thank you” can be more valuable than an expensive present. Writing a note, making time for a conversation, helping with chores, or simply being attentive can communicate respect and gratitude. Most importantly, Mother’s Day reminds us that appreciation should not be saved for once a year. The best way to honor a mother is to show kindness and recognition consistently.

In summary, Mother’s Day is about connection. It is a celebration of sacrifice, patience, and unconditional support, but it is also a call to reflect on how love is expressed through everyday actions. By taking time to acknowledge the mothers and mother figures in our lives, we honor the people who help us grow. Whether through a heartfelt message, time spent together, or a simple act of service, Mother’s Day is a moment to recognize a love that deserves to be celebrated—today and every day. You may be one of the nearly 400 million people who call her, you may share a meal…that she doesn’t have to prepare, or you may bring gifts and glad tidings. In the event your mother has shuffled off this mortal coil, reach out to a mother figure and share a heartfelt greeting. It might make their day…and yours too. ”Mother’s Day: A Celebration of Everyday Love!”

I’m done; holla back!

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.com. Find a new post each Wednesday.

To subscribe, click on Follow in the bottom right-hand corner of my Home Page at http://thesphinxofcharlotte.com; enter your e-mail address in the designated space, and click on “Sign me up.”

Subsequent editions of “Break It Down” will be mailed to your in-box. For more detailed information on a variety of aspects related to this post, consult search engines for more information on the subject.

This post was augmented by the use of AI.

Mother’s Day: A Celebration of Everyday Love