Patsy Bailey

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPH:

I live in the Rosa Parks Elementary School District. The photo I have reflects Middie Pride, as it shows a group of us—local women from area churches—who prepare peanut butter and jelly sandwiches twice a week for the Middletown Middies football team. That is how I display Middie Pride.

The football team members enjoy the sandwiches and chocolate milk each week. I don’t even have to take them inside. When I pull up—or if someone else is delivering—we pop the trunk open and the players automatically come and pick up their sandwiches.

All three of us were born and raised in the Middletown City School District. Our children have gone through the Middletown City School District, and some of them have come back after graduating high school and college to work here. They’re now working within both the school district and the city itself.

This story is really about the joy we feel. Even after we’ve prepared the sandwiches, we’re in no rush to go home. We just sit there, enjoying each other’s company. It’s a ministry.