October 21, 2004

By Staff
It was one of those "pressure cooker" days at the office. I flew out at noon to meet my husband for lunch. It was a 10-minute drive. I aimed to make it in eight minutes.
I swiftly edged my van into the midst of the traffic, passing until I was the leader of the pack. It's a state highway with double lanes and lovely wildflowers in the center, but at that time I didn't notice the flowers. I looked ahead with satisfaction that there was no immediate traffic to pass and that's when I saw it.
Coming in my direction on the other side of the double lane was a long funeral procession. "Oh, my gosh," I mumbled, figuring it would slow me down possibly by three minutes because I saw that the vehicles on both sides of traffic had pulled off to the side of the highway. I lowered my head in shame that I would be in such a gosh-awful hurry that I at first resented the time I would lose by pulling off of the highway. I watched the sad family and friends as they drove to bury their loved one. One by one the cars glided past and then it was time for me to resume my drive to the restaurant but what a difference three minutes can make.
Deep thoughts entered my mind, thoughts and pride of our own state of Mississippi that instills the love and concern for our neighbors. How many other states or cities across our nation will respect the deceased in such a caring way as to divert their travel and pause to acknowledge the value of life? I will always cherish and love our dear state, which some claim is not up to par with other states. But when you use the measuring stick of love, respect and concern for others displayed so lovingly by our residents, Mississippi cannot be beat.
Then suddenly I saw the beautiful wildflowers as I continued up the highway to my destination. I wondered how many other beautiful things I was missing in my haste to meet deadlines. That's when I decided to slow down and enjoy the wildflowers of my life while they are still blooming. I hope you will, too.
Anne McKee – Meridian