“You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you.” By Frederick Buechner
Family Matters!
These final days of August have been filled with extraordinary highs and lows for the week.
On August 26, Aunt Katherine Johnson celebrated her 101st birthday and she was the 
star of several appearances in honor of this significant milestone. She continues to be blessed with enough good health to participate in a variety of events. “Long Live Queen Katherine!”
On August 27, we remembered mom, Anne Elizabeth G. Broady. She passed away six years ago and her memory continues in living color. In her honor, the Anne G. Broady Scholarship Fund has supported the tuition cost for the equivalent of 100 Copey students.
On Wednesday August 28, my cousin Gwendolyn Huckstep passed away following a long battle with cancer. We were very close. I traveled to Virginia and spent the final days with Gwen, her sisters Ophelia and Rita, Rita’s husband Greg, along with nieces Sophia and Angelica, and nephew Anthony. Many of Gwen’s closest friends were at her beside as well.
Gwen and I enjoyed many visits and telephone conversations over time. One very memorable time spent with Gwen was during a 2014 road trip to visit Aunt Katherine and other aunts and cousins in eastern Virginia. Gwen really enjoyed meeting Aunt Katherine and regarded the photo taken with Aunt Katherine as one of her favorites. The road trip was special as it resulted in non-stop car chatter between us. 
Also, another family member passed away one day earlier. Richard Broady, age 87, resided in Roanoke, Virginia. Richard was a member of another branch of Broadys and I was not very acquainted with him.
The week of family matters ended on a very high note Friday. Grandson Maliek Broady began his final season of college football at the University of Nevada Reno (Nevada) Friday evening. Underdog Nevada took on Purdue University.
Maliek began his football career with Nevada as a “walk-on”. His determination and athletic abilities later earned him a full athletic scholarship. Although a true running back seeing limited action, last year his coach requested Maliek to transfer to the position of line backer as the
team was in great need for more depth and athleticism according to head coach Norvell.
The transition from running back to line backer is very difficult, especially in D-1 College Level football. But…Maliek
successfully made the transition and was listed as a starter in the lineup Friday evening. In a recent feature sports story about Maliek and his mother Jessica, Head Coach Norvel says “Maliek is just an unselfish guy and he is now ready to be an “impact player”.
Then, bringing a fitting end to the week, with only 3 seconds left in regular time, the Nevada place-kicker made a 56 yard field goal to defeat Purdue University. Nevada 34 * Purdue 31.
I should also note that Maliek helped his mother move his younger brother Mykel (middle) into the dormitory last week at Nevada. As one Broady closes out his college career at Nevada later in the year, another has begun his Nevada college career.
For those wondering if Mykel is also planning to play sports, we are not absolutely sure. He is as talented as his older brother and would be an excellent basketball prospect. However, due to a medical condition, his strong acadamic profile, and an emerging political interest, Mykel plans to go down a different path at Nevada. Photo is “move-in day” for Mykel. Their mom and all the rest of the Broady family and “Friends” stand proud of these young men….Broadys!
Family Matters
Thanks for the update on my cousins. So sorry to hear about Gwen’s passing. I did get to meet her and we talked genealogy a few times.