Fortunate To Be Me

As I walk along the path of my memories, I feel the asphalt beneath my feet. To my right, my eyes follow the path to the front steps of the old brick building where I feel I grew up so long ago. I once played on those steps, lined up on that walk, entered those front doors as a child, a teenager, an adult, a grandmother.

Have you ever experienced something that was supposed to make you sad but, instead, filled you with joy? That happened to me the last time I visited my home town.

My home town, filled with people who had a part in raising me. Filled with people I could never thank enough, if I had another lifetime to do so.

Sometimes, I still like to go back and visit with them just a little while, to relive some of those days of my youth.

The day is chilled and the wind is blowing. As I pull my coat closer around me, I turn to my left and began to remember.

Standing there together, I see my parents as they were when I was growing up. They stand hand in hand, smiling back at me as if to say they are so very glad I came to visit. I return that smile once again.

As I walk on. I see Jenny Skinner, the lady who first introduced me to my love for music. I can hear her playing her piano and The Halls of Ivy fill my thoughts.

On my left, waving to me is my grandmother’s friend, Mrs. Horton, who was so kind to me, inviting me to her home to play with her grandchildren. They are still in my life today, a lifetime behind us.

Gathered there is my second-grade teacher, Lucy Orr, and my choir companion, Mrs. Lomas.

The wind continues to blow and the clouds threaten rain but I am not ready to turn back to my car just yet.

To my joy, Mr. and Mrs. Welborn are next to enter my sight. They touched my life, giving me my first job, teaching me the value of a dollar and how to earn it.

And then I walk headlong into Miler and Elsie Harris, their love for me overwhelming, even today. How I long to stay a while and talk to them. I have so much I want to share!

But the rain is starting to fall and I know I have to leave.

As I walk back along the path, I see so many others who are part of my story. Amazed at the flood of thoughts, I slow for a moment just to reminisce.

Once again, I pass my parents, seeing them now as they were the last time I saw them. My father whispers “I love you” and my mother smiles at me so sweetly.

Turning my back and stepping onto the asphalt, in my wake are those who have left a permanent mark on my life. These people, whom I will always carry in my heart. They are the reason I am the person I am today. 

I love them so…still!

Finally, I reach the road as the rain begins to pour. Running to the car and quickly, ducking inside, I sit for a moment and peer through the glass. Memories are flooding my vision with tears and yet, there is a smile on my face.

I realize they are not actually here where their graves are marked but alive inside of me. I feel warmed by the thought.

I feel loved and so very fortunate to be me.

Life often brings to us,

Trials, too much to bear.

Hidden deep, from the world,

The depths of our despair.

It takes a special moment,

Within our troubled day,

Just a perchance meeting,

To clear the clouds away.

You walked into my life,

So needed from the start.

Became a gem of worth,

Held tightly in my heart.

I possessed a vacant void

That only God could see,

So, in His infinite wisdom,

He led you straight to me.