Missing Queen B: Why I Love Bridget Woods

There are some souls that come to the earth only for a short time but take on the form of an angel that enriches the lives of others... Bridget Woods was one of those special people.  

If you are from Selma, Alabama and ever rode down Range (Marie Foster) street in the past 20 years, I am quite sure that you should have at least on one occasion gotten a glimpse of this beautiful young woman sitting on her front porch on the corner of Philpot Avenue and Marie Foster. 

I always thought of Bridget as the neighborhood watcher or the "Queen of Range Street." Although it was years ago, it feels like only yesterday that I remember seeing this pretty little chubby girl with  two long ponytails sitting on the porch eating ice cream while swinging her feet and simultaneously watching all the happenings on the block.  This was Bridgett.......She never missed a beat.

Years later when Bridget became a teenager, I was blessed to work closely with her and she quickly became one of my special "babies" in a youth group called SHIPP Ahoy ~ an acronym for Sisters High in Pride and Potential. And Bridget she was just that.... ALWAYS high in self-love, pride and potential.

Sadly, last week in the wee hours of the night as she rested in her bed she became a victim to senseless violence in the form of a drive-by shooting.  This beautiful and cheerful angel of a young woman left this earth much too soon.  There have been hundreds of lives touched by her bright smile, wise advice,  infectious laughter, witty jokes and kind heart. 

There are no words that can explain how I feel about the loss of Bridget.  I am not sure if I have even wrapped my mind around what has happened to someone so kind and giving.  It is impossible for me to capture and write all I feel or think about "my baby" in this blog.  She called herself  "Ms. Queen B" and that is exactly who she was~~ a queen in every sense of the word.  Below are just a few thoughts that I wanted to share that remind me of Bridget. 

A Devoted Mother   (Proverbs 31:2 (a) "Her children rise up and call her blessed;")

There were so many things that I admired about Bridget, however what I admired most was her commitment and devotion as a mother. Although Bridget wasn't the biological mother of her daughter I can attest that she loved that child since she was a little baby.  Even as a 19-20 year old woman, Bridgett had enough insight, compassion and love in her heart to volunteer to raise and care for the baby of a young mother that battled with personal problems.  Bridget nurtured, cared and loved her God-given daughter for 11 glorious years.   

Bridget ALWAYS bragged and talked about "her baby girl Keria."  Bridget was much more than a biological mother... she was Shekeria's appointed and anointed mother by God. She took her role as Keria's mother seriously and with much pride. I absolutely adored their relationship.  They had a special mother-daughter connection and adoration for each other.  They were both a tremendous blessing to each other.      

A Natural Comedian (Proverbs 17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.)

She made us laugh and even "cracked us up" with her funny jokes, quick witted responses and sometimes even hilarious snide remarks. Armed with the gift of gab, she could respond to any smart remark or unsolicited joke in 2 seconds flat with witty and descriptive words. Bridget could take on the best jokers  and turn their own joke around on them with the quickness. When I first met Bridget I thought she was shy in the crew but I quickly realized that in fact she was the life, laughter and love of the party.  

Queen "B"had style 

"Hair did, nails did, errything did!" Queen B was the epitome of a hair diva.  Out of all of the years that I have known Ms. Bridget I can't recall a single time that Bridget's hair wasn't fresh and stylish.  'Narry a hair was EVER out of place!  Pin-ups, pin curls, crinkle ponytails, etc.....I can tell you this ~ Bridget could have been a Bonner Brothers' model for the national hair shows in Atlanta. 

Whether it's in the morning, evening or night.....Ms. Bridgett Woods always had that hair did (Yes, I meant to say DID!)  It was always fried, dyed and ALWAYS flipped or pinned up  to the side. (smile)

A Friend and Protector (Romans 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Out do one another in showing honor.) Bridget touched so many people in her circle of family and friends through her love and friendship. When I lived in Selma, Bridget and I worked together at the Youth Opportunity Center.  She ALWAYS had my back.  She was dependable, trust-worthy and always loyal.

Those of us that were blessed to know and become friends with Bridget knew that she was an angel.  She was very protective and loyal to her family and friends.  She loved everyone unconditionally and always made herself available to give sound advice, cheer someone up or to encourage those she loved. She will be missed but NEVER forgotten. We will cherish and celebrate our memories. Thanks Bridget for just being YOU!!!

Life is But Stopping Place

Life is but a stopping place,

A pause in what's to be,

A resting place along the road,

to sweet eternity.

We all have different journeys,

Different paths along the way,

We all were meant to learn some things,

but never meant to stay...

Our destination is a place,

Far greater than we know.

For some the journey's quicker,

For some the journey's slow.

And when the journey finally ends,

We'll claim a great reward,

And find an everlasting peace,

Together with the lord

–Author unknown