Carolyn Meighan:
CLASS OF 1967
Highland Springs High SchoolClass of 1967
Highland springs, VA
Seven Pines Elementary SchoolClass of 1962
Sandston, VA
Carolyn's Story
After graduation in 1967 from Highland Springs High School, I went to Nursing School St. Mary's Hospital School of Practical Nursing Henrico, Co., but soon realized nursing was not for me. I went to work at G. C. Murphy Co. working my way up the ladder from sales clerk to Head Bookkeeper. I found I liked working with numbers. I have worked with numbers in some fashion every since.
My life has been filled with ups and downs as we all have. I have been blessed with many things and the joy of dance was one. After a few lessons it became a passion, well one of my passions. On the dance floor is where I met, fell in love and married Jerome (Jerry) Edward Thomas Patrick Meighan, Jr., we were married March 14, 1975. Our only children were F. B. (Flea Bitten - his dog) and Pyewacket (my cat).
Jerry encouraged my dancing; it was with his encouragement that I became confident enough to compete in Ball Room dancing. I won several trophies and numerous ribbons for Cha Cha, my favorite dance. Another passion of mine is writing, which I started doing when I was a little girl in grade school. Jerry encouraged me to try and have my writing published.
In 1976, my first poem 'Paul' was published in the poetry magazine, 'A Different Drummer', and 'Our Twentieth Century's Greatest Poems' (1982).
In 1977, 'A Different Drummer' published, my poem 'These Have I Loved'. I wrote a poem, for Jerry, the love of my life, in 1976, called 'Jerome'. He died November 1982 after only 7 years, 7 months, and 23 days of marriage. His Poem, 'Jerome' was read at his funeral. It has also been published twice since his death: 1983 -'Today's Greatest Poems' and 2005 - on page "1" of 'Invoking the Muse'. "Jerome" received the Editor's Choice Award 2005, For Outstanding Achievement in Poetry, Presented by: Poetry.com and The International Library of Poetry.
I have written numerous other poems, short stories, and books, and I also write childrenÿs poems and short stories. I would love to one day have them all published. I have written and almost completed my first book, 'Main Street' which is my pride and joy. I think it has "Star Quality", and hope to see it made into a movie, in my life time preferably. Besides my writing, I make and sell leather and beaded jewelry, dream catchers are my favorite, wine glass charms, and napkin rings to name a few of my specialties crafts. I too, am a collector of strange yet wonderful things such as wolves, dragons, masks, wizards and fairies last but not least my beautiful collection of butterflies.
In 1985, I had a serious auto accident with multiple injuries; the most serious injury was to my left ankle and foot. After numerous surgeries, bone and skin grafts, steel plating, nuts, bolts, a few screws and fusion of my ankle, I can still stand on "MY" own two feet. However, I am a few inches shorter on one side and my dancing days are over.
I still live in Richmond, VA., in the Fan District near a block from VCU with my cat, Shiloh Simon Greywolfe.
My apartment building was built in the late 1800"s, and from the moment I saw it in 2001 it looked and felt like I was finally home. It has wonderful high ceilings, beautiful crown molding, and a fire place, that one can still enjoy a roaring log fire in. French sliding doors that lead from the main living area to my sleeping quarters. I have modernized the lighting system with fiber optic butterflies, and purple lighting draped along the walls. HEY, I love purple and you knew about the butterflies. And at Christmas I have a white artificial tree with purple light and ornaments.
In 2001, I went to work for General Assurance of America, Inc.; My title is Account & Administrative Assistant to the Controller, and the President/CEO/Owner of the company. One of the benefits of working with this company is helping put together the big 4th of July Fireworks Show the owner, puts on at Lake Gaston, VA., every year. There is music, fireworks, skydivers, to honor our veterans. And he always recognizes someone special that served in the Korean War, WWI, WWII, Viet Nam, or Iraq and this year there will be a f...Expand for more
ly over by the United States Air Force.
Carolyn Byrd Meighan
The following are some of the poems and a childrens short short story.
PAUL
Before the flaming fire, she sits
Alone
Shadows from the flickering flames
Dancing and playing upon the walls.
She gazes into the fire,
Thinking of the past,
Was it really so long ago?
She can still see his face clearly,
In the glowing embers,
She remembers the way he said her name.
She smiles, remembering his touch,
And the way, she felt inside
When he held her in his arms.
Theyÿd loved each other so.
Maybe, it had been too muchÿ.
And that was why heÿd been taken from her.
I didnÿt seem fair!
Theyÿd only been married two months.
At least, they had spent each day
Loving as if it were their last.
She had no regrets, nor was she bitter.
The wheelchair, she could live with.
For without him, she didnÿt really care.
Suddenly, she feels so cold!
She realizes that, like Paul,
The fire has died.
Written 1969
1st Poem to be published
Jerome
Sitting by a crackling fire
On a cold winterÿs night
Watching snowflakes fall
Sharing the laughter of friends.
These have I loved, and you.
Running hand in hand
Thru dew drenched fields.
A sudden thunder shower,
And no place dry to go.
These have I loved, with You.
Lying on the beach
Listening to the seagullsÿ cries.
The smell of the salty air,
As we make love on the sand.
These have I loved, and you.
Love growing deeper
With each new day.
Sharing joys and sorrows
Most of all, You, Jerome.
These have I loved.
And will always love.
For: Jerome Edward Thomas Patrick Meighan, Jr.
October 1936-November 1982
Shapeshifter
Out into the desert, she went
To wander the vast bareness and sand
Looking, searching, and seeking.
For what, she did not know.
Was it a place to hide?
Somewhere to just lie down?
A place that would give her comfort?
Out into the desert, she went
Wandering with the spirits of those long ago gone.
At night she could wander in different forms.
Sometimes soaring through the sky
As an eagle, falcon or hawk,
Slithering on her belly, as a snake
Or a Scorpion with a bad attitude.
Sometimes, she would howl with the coyotes.
Other nights, she hunted with wolves.
But, always at dawn she returned to her human form.
Searching - Seeking
For the spirit of her beloved.
The one who had made her know she was loved
Without a word.
She needed so desperately to lay her head in his lap,
Feel his arms around her,
To have him erase all the pain,
She had endured and felt, since his death.
For all the searching, his spirit she could not find.
She could bring him back - with only a spell.
But - would she be able to let go a second time?
Would it be fair to him?
For if not before - now he would see and feel her pain.
He would hurt, knowing he couldn't stay to heal it.
For, he was the only one, who could.
At night a lone eerie howling could be heard
On the wind, and in the air, it was the name of her beloved
"Jerome".
Written 2005
The Peanut Butter Kid
It was a stormy, rainy night and two year old Morgan Elizabeth was wide awake. She didn't like storms, they scared her.
Thru the skylight, she could see big bolts of lightning, shooting across the sky, followed by loud booms of thunder.
Slipping out of bed, she scampered from her room in search of "Her Hero", - the one known to the world as, The Peanut Butter Kid! (Only she knew The Kid's true identity.)
And "The Kid" (her uncle) would protect her from the storm.
Upstairs - downstairs - she searched and searched.
Where was he? Where?
Just, then a big bolt of lightning exploded and the room was no longer dark.
Oh! There he was, coming toward her, his arms reaching out to pick her up.
Her arms went around her neck, as he carried her to his cave. And once again "He" saved the day, with a jar of peanut butter and an oatmeal cookie.
2001
Written for:
Morgan Elizabeth Mitchell, Heather Michelle Kelly Mitchell, (Morganÿs mother), John Earl Kelly, the uncle (The Peanut Butter Kid) Rebecca (Becky) Elizabeth Byrd Jackson (mother of John and Heather) and my baby sister.
Register for Free to view all details!
Yearbooks
Register for Free to view all yearbooks!
Reunions
Register for Free to view all events!
Photos
