Memories of Years Gone By ღ KKD ღ

In Dedication to my brother Bill. Thank you.

Memories of Years Gone By  ღ KKD ღ  

 

 

 

Memories of Years Gone By   Oh I never sit at a train crossing waiting for a freight train to pass that I am not taken back to my youth and that of my children. My Dad bought a big ole historic home back in 1960 that just beyond the big front yard and the huge three sugar maple trees and white picket fence ran a set of railroad tracks. When we first moved in the rumble of the train going by would rattle the windows and naturally wake me up at night but with in a short period of time It ceased to wake me. It became a habit that we (my sister, Diane and I) would race to the front yard when we would hear the train whistle start blowing for a crossing further up the tracks. We would wave to the engineer who would just blow and blow his whistle for us  and then we always wait to wave to the man in the caboose. Mom and Dad got upset at first when we would bolt from the dinner table cause the train was coming. If it was too dark for them to see us we would flash the front porch light off and on real quick the whole time the train was passing right down to the caboose. Even after we got married and moved away, when we would visit Dad and a train would come Diane and I would still race to the front door into the front yard to greet the train. Our children quickly picked up on our habit and would run with us and wave just as hard as we did. When our brother, Bill, went to work for the railroad. His route was between Charlottesville, Washington DC and Richmond which would bring him right in front of Dad's house. Which then was such an extra special treat. When the Engineer's found out that the big white house belonged to Dad, they told my brother that they too looked forward to passing by for we were always there. Then there was a summer when the girls and I stayed at Dad's and each time my brother would come by on the train he would normally be in caboose and would be hanging off the side holding on with one hand and throwing a paper towel wrapped around change with a note to the girls saying Tell your Mom to walk you down to the store and buy you some ice-cream ... Love You ... Uncle Bill. The kids and I, once the train had passed would go onto the tracks looking for their note and ice-cream money and Uncle Bill's hat. It would always blow off. So when I'm late going to work and have to sit and wait for a train I never get up set I always go back to the days of mine and that of my children's youth and remember the simple, but so very special memories of the past... And smile .... Original by ღ  Donna DeLong Matthews ღ   August 2009 © 2009 Donna DeLong Matthews (All rights reserved) Pat Matheny Last Train Home

Reviews

[Warrior]

Great story telling. This did justice in the realm of getting the message across. Great message. There's lot of times where a story can have a great message to aim for, and have a lot of under lining things but then no one gets it, and if no one gets it, then the point has failed. But in my opinion this did well to get the message across. You made it clear, which is why I think it's good. Keep up the good work. What was also great was that I could imagine the story as I read it, and that is also a strong point of stories. The ability to have the reader imagine it because after all we're reading not watching it, but it was as if I was there as I read this, and that is great. Good job once again.

[Aspiring Angel]

Hi Donna, We have shared so many memories of our lives over the 6+years that we have known each other. I, as Ray, have heard this story on and off for many years. I knew it would take you some time to put it in print, but I also knew when the time was right for you, it would come. Come it has, and such a wonderful beautiful write to honor the memories of your childhoood, your girls childhood, and in rememberance of your brother Bill. Absolutely beautiful my friend. We have shared so many things in our lives and childhoods that I truly felt I was running to the train with you. Wish I had been. LOVED THIS SWEETIE.

My always love,
Lesa
KKL

[Ray Hamilton]

Hi Donna, you told me about this wonderful memory on the phone
It's so nice to read it in print, I enjoyed it
We all have some wonderful times, we draw on from time to time
My family will be here soon, so I will go for now and make some new memories
Hope you are having a great day
The Buzzard

[Don Eagle]

Donna what a beautiful story you tell, I could almost feel being there sharing your joy.
Many years ago I worked for the New York Central Railroad as a switchman, and rode many, many miles in a caboose,
This brought back many memories, thank you for the trip down memory lane.
A great graphic and background sound fit the story perfectly.
LUV from Tennessee to Florida

[WriterMe]

Oh what a beautiful collection of memories =] I think the only things that keep us going in life are cherished memories =] Wondeful job.

[Angelica]

Move to Kettle Falls... every day you can have all the trains you want. And it is interesting, because it just doesn't feel like home without the sounds of the train going by. The last time I stayed with my dear friend, Dianne, it was early in the year so I slept with my windows open. The train yards are miles away, but in the still of the night I could still clearly hear the whistle of the trains. Great memories... thanks for taking me down that memory lane as well!