Books by James Edward Alexander
We Lived and Loved for a Lifetime
Toian Bowser-Anderson and I were unacquainted on Christmas Eve 1986. The following morning God arranged our meeting and gave a special Christmas gift—of each other—to each other. For twenty-six years, two months, and four days, as husband and wife, we traveled in harmony as co-conductors, just loving, having much fun, and attending to the cares and concerns of each other—until a morning in May 2016, when she said goodbye to me and left to travel with God.
This was our journey.
I Wish You Had Been There
This is the third volume of memories of the exciting life of James Edward Alexander
In Half Way Home from Kinderlou (2008), he offered stories of a pleasant childhood in Valdosta, GA, during his first decade – 1934-1944.
In 2010, he presented Forks in the Road, stories of two productive decades (1951-1971) in the U. S. Air Force.
Now, he offers stories that were so pleasant that he wishes you too could have personally shared the experiences, either as a participant or observer.
He says I Wish You Had Been There…
- To meet two men who played the piano, and another man who played the guitar.
- To get in line each morning to receive a kiss from an old lady.
- To listen to how a woman found a remedy for nightmares.
- To be in the presence of three men who served their country in different forms of combat.
- To hear and “take heed” to the words of wisdom from men who lacked formal education.
- To observe the special relationship of two “navigators”: a blind Air Force pilot and young airman from South Georgia; both searching for a more meaningful life.
- To have known two special friends who liked to take walks.
- To appreciate how generals and privates formed an alliance to find a chow line.
And to, vicariously have “front row seating,” for countless other adventures in an exciting life.
Halfway Home From Kinderlou
James Edward Alexander shares some happy memories of people, places and things during the first decade of his childhood –1934-1944 — in Valdosta, Georgia His stories help audiences over age 50 reawaken memories of their own early years. For younger audiences, his reflections confirm the tales of their elders. It was a time in America when neighbors formed harmonious living arrangements; when children played simple games with simple toys, and behaved by clearly defined community standards which were enforced by every adult who wore a belt or who could handle a switch. His reminiscences also illustrate how the lessons of courtesy, kindness, compassion, and respect for self and others transcend the ages.
Alexander believes his thoroughly exciting and enjoyable childhood could only happen in America. His timing was right.
Forks in the Road
In volume I, Half Way Home From Kinderlou, published in (2008), James Edward Alexander shared some pleasant memories of his early years in Valdosta, Georgia.
Then came the teen years, that interlude between childhood and adulthood; a period of simultaneous rapid growth and decline, when there is so much more to learn, while forgetting the habits of kindergarten. Teen ages are the days when parents and the community subject youthful behavior to closer scrutiny, looking for confirmation of what the child should have learned after they excused early missteps as innocent or “cute.”
In that period of youthful sunshine James Edward spent much of his excess energy as the high school football quarterback, playing semi-pro baseball and learning why his body suddenly felt different in the presence of girls. As he approached graduation from high school he also realized that his future was beyond the socioeconomic boundary of Valdosta.
On the morning of June 21, 1951, the anniversary of his 17th birthday, James Edward awoke in a racially segregated neighborhood in Valdosta. Before sunset he took a fork in the road that led into the United States Air Force, a community of different races, colors, ethnicities, and religions. Even though there were no preparatory sessions for the physical, psychological, emotional or social transition, he was expected to instantaneously deport himself by a set of guidelines formulated by persons of different lifestyles and experiences. At times the lessons were painful and pleasant; degrading and uplifting; humorous and sad, frightening and courageous; defeating and rewarding; daring and cautious, but always exciting.
In Forks in the Road, James Edward Alexander offers some memories of people, places and things from 1945 – 1971.
If I Should Die Before I Wake
What Happens to My Stuff?
This booklet provides checklists for collecting and maintaining information to help you live a better life, while preparing for a peaceful death.