Hey, Sister, throw me some beads!

While my feet are firmly planted in Southern California, I’ve spent quite a bit of time in the South. Over time and by example, I’ve become a cultural hybrid of palm tree and magnolia, a quirky combination of “Hey, how’s it going’?” and “How’s your mama ‘n ’em?” 

I learned quite a few life lessons from my Dixieland sisters, many of them taught symbolically through Mardi Gras traditions: The crowning glory of finding the small plastic baby Jesus baked into a Kings Cake; the delicious decadence of Fat Tuesday, a last opportunity to “eat hefty” before the dawn of Ash Wednesday; the collecting of beads, each color representing closely-held values; and a secret family recipe for gumbo that relies on a well-made roux.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, these Steel Magnolias also taught me how to maintain grace, dignity, and resiliency – come high winds or high water. So today I’m reprising my Mardi Gras “parade,” a rolling tribute to the Southern women who’ve successfully weathered the storm. In my mind, I’m playing the “bead game,” tossing them these symbolic gifts:

Purple beads, representing justice. May sunlight serve as disinfectant for the political impurities and social injustices exposed by the storms, and may it also serve as a spotlight for the important work that still needs to be done to help heal broken hearts and homes. 

Green beads that stand for faith.  I pray that each of them will be rewarded for their deep, abiding belief in the power of prayer, combined with a personal commitment to doing the hard work necessary to rebuild their lives. 

Gold beads, signifying power. Not in the form of backlit, bloviating speeches by posturing policy wonks; but rather, a roll-up-the-sleeves, dig-deep-into-the-pockets commitment by politicians and ordinary citizens who are willing to put their collective muscle behind putting things right.

White beads, serving as long-distance kisses. May they continue to heal your hurts and reaffirm our connections.

Of course, no parade’s complete without an afterparty, is it? C’mon then: Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez (Let the good times roll)!

19 Comments

  2. We were in Galveston last year at Mardi Gras time. Not on purpose; that’s just when we took a vacation.

    The parade was on the street in front of our hotel. We had no idea it was such a big deal anywhere except in New Orleans. Those Southerners know how to party!

  3. Ooo! I’d love to experience New Orleans someday! black beads mean marriage, self-control, and stability (but it doesn’t look like the chick in that icon has much self-control! Hee, hee!)

  4. Ooo! I’d love to experience New Orleans someday! black beads mean marriage, self-control, and stability (but it doesn’t look like the chick in that icon has much self-control! Hee, hee!)

  8. Great post. Very beautifully written, as always.

    Mardi Gras is something I’ve always dreamed of going to. After Katrina, I didn’t know if I’d ever get the chance. But New Orleans is slowly, ever so slowly, coming back to life. No thanks to the government.

    Enjoy your Fat Tuesday, lady. If I flash, are you gonna toss me some beads?!!?! :-p

  10. Ohhh, I did not know that about the color significance! That is neat! Mardi Gras also gets celebrated here–it’s not as big as it is there, of course, but it is gaining more popularity. From what I’ve been told, our Acadian culture is closely linked to Cajun culture–when our Acadian ancestors were deported from the area in 1755, many resettled in New Orleans. Cajun is actually deviated from the word “Acadian”. 🙂

  11. Ohhh, I did not know that about the color significance! That is neat! Mardi Gras also gets celebrated here–it’s not as big as it is there, of course, but it is gaining more popularity. From what I’ve been told, our Acadian culture is closely linked to Cajun culture–when our Acadian ancestors were deported from the area in 1755, many resettled in New Orleans. Cajun is actually deviated from the word “Acadian”. 🙂

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