Monday, February 27, 2012

The Gypsy in Me

Growing up in Meridian, MS, I heard many tales of a band of gypsies that had traveled there to bury their Queen. In 1915, the sudden death of beloved Gypsy Queen Callie (Kelly) Mitchell brought an estimated 20,000 people to my small southern hometown to attend her funeral and burial.


After birthing 15 babies, I am not sure
Queen Kelly's waist was this trim.
The Queen of the Gypsies of America and her tribe were camped near Meridian when the Queen died during the delivery of what was believed to be her 14th or 15th child. Sweet mercy, she was probably tired from wearing all her bling, traveling from place to place, telling fortunes, and taking care of babies and toddlers. I guess I should not complain, my life is not that hard. However, I would not mind some her precious jewels.

Queen Kelly's burial at Rose Hill Cemetary turned the cemetery into one of the main Romani burial grounds in the Southeast. Her husband, Emil, King of the Gypsy nation, her successor, Flora, and numerous other Gypsies have been buried alongside her.

If I would not have bounced out of there to head off to college and never return, I would be a seventh generation Merdianite. I just know that somewhere in my family history, one of those gypsies married a chicken farmer or even more taboo, had a tryst with a young dairy farmer resulting in a branch on my family tree. Makes me giddy just thinking of the jeweled, glittery decor on that branch. In reality, there is probably not any gypsy blood in me, but……maybe…..

The self-proclaimed gypsy in me has taken me all over the South; I have lived in several towns in Mississippi, in Memphis, Austin, TX, a Summer in Destin, FL, and since marrying Big Buckaroo, a few place in Arkansas. Even though I have strong bonds with people in each of the places I have been, I am always up for a new adventure, not so much the packing and moving furniture (at least there is U-Haul and I do not have to pack a wagon), but the excitement that comes with a new town. And, boy we have landed in a dandy.

I watched all seven seasons of The Gilmore Girls, oh my, I love me some Gilmore Girls. If you have watched the show (if not, come out from under your rock and start, you will love it) it takes place in the fictional town of Stars' Hollow, a town populated by an eclectic mix of dreamers, artists, and everyday folk, well sistah friends, I have found a real live Stars Hollow. And, I get to live here!

I have found the people in our new town to be wonderful and kind; some quirky and eccentric, some reserved and quiet, and everything in between. I am sure I will learn more of the dynamics as time goes by, but so far, everyone has been warm, welcoming, non-judgemental, and friendly.

I am happy to unload my gypsy wagon and lay down roots in this town. And, thank you to my parents for giving me strong roots and beautiful, fearless wings. I hope and pray that we will be as successful in giving that to the Little Buckaroos.

Gypsy Princess Wanna Be,
The Park Wife

8 comments:

Fawn said...

Loved this post. It's beautiful, and just what I needed as I stare out the window at the "for sale" sign in my front yard...

mimis kitchen52 said...

I know that growing up in the burbs of Chicago, my mother would often say to stay in sight so the gypsies wouldn't run off with me, what does that mean??? Did they steal children?? I mean, really, didn't they have enough children of their own! Love the blog as always!

SweetMissMagnolia said...

for about the past 3 years now around halloween there is a "haunted cemetary tour"--but nothing scary--just alot of local people (including the mayor) dressed up as historical characters from the cemetary (rosehill cemetary just off 8th street)--I went to the first one-there were some relatives of the gypsy queen dressed up as her and the rest of the family that are buried in the cemetary-I have pics somewhere if you'd like to see....

Sheila said...

I have always been fascinated by gypsies. I am like you I am always up for a move or an adventure. Every time we go on vacation I feel like as long as my family is with me I could keep on trucking! Glad to hear you are settling in to your new home ; )

Jenonthefarm said...

We'll have to share gypsy stories some day. Mountain View is a great place to set down roots.

Christi said...

I hope you and the family are getting settled in. You are at a great park with many great opportunities....just imagine....entertainment every Saturday night....and you don't even have to drive to get there!
If you get a chance, my hubby (Denver) is there this week for the training. You ought to go meet him...he'd love it!

lfhpueblo said...

It's great when there are friendly people around. I live in the suburbs and basically people keep to themselves.

Unknown said...

Just out of curiosity, because I didn't surf around enough to find out. What little town have you found? There are some really amazing ones that we just love to escape to sometimes.