March 7
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
March 7, 1998
Worked from 7-10. Courtney, etc. came & we all went 2 Melinda’s. Practiced for her show. (Modeling clothes.) Came home. Showered. Did homework ’til bed & it sucked.
Laura M., age 14, North Carolina
March 7, 1997
GOD! :( Cried to Sean today about everything and said, “If you love me as a friend, respect me as a friend. If not, then you can walk away and stay away.” Whew! I cried. Went to Renée’s. Went to Olive Garden with Dad, etc. Confessed to all other times I skipped. He grounded me for 2 more weeks = 4 weeks. Confessed to Mom, too. (Over phone.) I don’t think she grounded me. Cried SO much. Dad knew ’cause he called [the school].
Marcy S., age 48, North Carolina
March 7, 1973
Ash Wednesday again.
A thought struck me — maybe the reason I’m not able to be happy is that I don’t want others to be happy — I resent their good fortune. And I want to be the center of the stage — I want all my problems to be solved by someones else, just like a child. And I’m sure this selfish attitude communicates itself to other people.
We read this meditation last night at Al-Anon about “voices” — “the very sound and inflection can reveal the speakers’ hidden attitudes… In those who are studying the program and enjoying the fruits of living it, the tone and manner of speaking show confidence, humility, compassion for those in trouble, and an honest acknowledgment that they are not masterminds to solve all problems.”
The third thing Jesus said to the paralyzed man was: “Rise, take up your bed, and go to your own house.” When the paralyzed man stood up and picked up his bed, he was calling on a strength that he already possessed without realizing it. What Jesus had done had been to set it free, and set him free to use it… When he discovered that Jesus believed in him, and even offered him a chance to make a new start, he discovered that he possessed powers of his own that he had long ago given up hope of ever being able to use again.
That some miracle happens again and again, whenever people accept the good news that at the center of things there is one who believes in them and offers them new life. It can happen to you.”
This was a new thought — that Jesus believes in me, that I have only to accept this great good news. He’s on my side.
My real guilt has been in holding on to my resentments and self-pity, in refusing to admit that I need forgiveness, in refusing to accept the responsibility for all the destructive feelings and attitudes that have paralyzed me for so many years.
I’m paralyzed also by timidity — which is just as real and crippling as physical paralysis.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
March 7, 1960
At 6:30 Geo called going today. Beautiful day still cold. Washed, the porch and basement full. Lo came to lunch. She and Jim going out to feed live stock. After leaving office Lo shopped at A&P and Piggley’s. After eating we left for Elgin to do a little shopping. Too late to go to see the folks.
Marcy S., age 19, Missouri
March 7, 1944
Cold, dreadfully windy. No test in history. No philosophy class. Worked on report all afternoon. Discouraged and inspired by turns. Life magazine and important letter from family came. Where I go next year is up to me!! Hard decision to make. About 6 Jane, Betty and I and some other kids got bus out to highway. Then struggled up hill to country club. Never saw such a wind!! About 6:30 all the kids and Miss Omer and Mrs. Abbott were there and we sat down for waffle supper (1st and 3rd floors) and all the trimmings!! Country club just like country home. Lovely. Had fun. I feel more a part of people now! Took taxi back. Beginning to snow. Wild night. Went right to work on book report — got late lights. Finished typing all but last paragraph and to bed at 1 a.m.
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
March 7, 1941
Cloudy, rainy. No chapel. Saw Bunny before classes. Viola had a friend with her. Bunny right on hand. Funny. In history, Mrs. McCluen played some records for us. “Ave Maria,” “Lost Chord” (sung by Nelson Eddy), “Because” (Deanna Durbin), Schubert’s “Serenade,” and “Somewhere a Voice is Calling.” All very beautiful -- nearly cried during last one. Then we got together in groups and worked on class activities for next week. Bunny sat in seat behind mine and put his arm on my coat. Ah! I wasn’t sitting there then, though. Didn’t have courage to ask him about Ruth Mary. Mary and I are going to dramatize a witch trial and torture. Finished Budget 22. Up to date now. In fifth study hall, Mary and I worked on trial and engaged Earl as the judge. After going home first after school, Helen and I went to Mary’s accompanied by a stray dog, whom we named “Bushy.”
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
March 7, 1888
5 degrees below 0 this morning, but grew warmer and has been a very pleasant day. Kate and the baby went over to Neill’s when I went to my school and spent the afternoon there. I stopped and got them when I came home. I mailed letters home today telling them that Kate would start the first of next week for home if it is pleasant. I went up town and got my mail tonight. Kate had a letter from Nellie and I got some experience from Scarborough.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
March 7, 1887
It has been a beautiful warm and sunshiny day. The sun begins to take hold of the snow such days. I took my shoe up and had a patch put on the heel. I practiced on the telegraph instrument for a couple of hours this forenoon. Called at Mr. Waters just before coming home to dinner. Fred went away this forenoon to go to hauling logs but found the camp full and so had to come home. I finished my letter to Kate this afternoon. Went up to the Court House a little while and then went up town and studied telegraphy some more. Got the Leader tonight. Bought some things at the [?] for Jessie to make a cough medicine with. It is a beautiful moonlight night.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
March 7, 1863
Knit some today. Nothing of importance going on. All are well. Betsey went home yesterday evening. Mrs. Cannon getting no better. Warm & pleasant with clouds. Fannie still on foot. The others all well. All quiet along the lines. Oh! that we could have an honorable adjustment of affairs & stop so much blood shed. Hope, the anchor of the heart, still keeps looking from one month to another for peace to be declared but I fear that day is far distant.
*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
March 7, 1862
Mail came but no news. Mr. Henry came home about 4 o’clock. I was very glad to see him, so were the children. He brought me a very nice nail brush, Pinck a small hair brush & Zona a very pretty little ring. It has been a very cold day. I did not expect him. He came up by home, they are all well. Dora sent the little ones some flowers. I finished my chemise & cut out Willie some pinnie fores. Got them basted, will sew them on the machine tomorrow & finished off button holes.
*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)
Samuel P., age 35, London
March 7, 1668
Up, and to the office, where all the morning, at noon home to dinner, where Mercer with us, and after dinner she, my wife, Deb., and I, to the King’s playhouse, and there saw “The Spanish Gipsys,” the second time of acting, and the first that I saw it. A very silly play, only great variety of dances, and those most excellently done, especially one part by one Hanes, only lately come thither from the Nursery, an understanding fellow, but yet, they say, hath spent 1000l. a-year before he come thither. This day my wife and I full of thoughts about Mrs. Pierces sending me word that she, and my old company, Harris and Knipp, would come and dine with us next Wednesday, how we should do-to receive or put them off, my head being, at this time, so full of business, and my wife in no mind to have them neither, and yet I desire it. Come to no resolution tonight. Home from the playhouse to the office, where I wrote what I had to write, and among others to my father to congratulate my sister’s marriage, and so home to supper a little and then to bed.
*(The Diary of Samuel Pepys M.A. F.R.S., edited by Henry B. Wheatley F.S.A., London, George Bell & Sons York St. Covent Garden, Cambridge Deighton Bell & Co., 1893.)