by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Both places above, located in Fairforest, SC, bring a smile to my face as they remind me of “PaPa”, my dad’s father.
For years, the building now known as “Leo’s TV” served as the country store. I was very young when PaPa managed the store, so I don’t have many memories here—but I do remember him taking a break just outside the door (check out the original and very cool double front doors above) with a cold bottle of Coke in hand. He loved his Coke and Snicker bars.
Later, he would become the Postmaster in the post-card size building above. He was always a hard worker, and even after retiring, he found ways to stay busy in his wood shop behind their house.
But my favorite memory of PaPa has nothing to do with a building. Although he had a wonderful dry sense of humor and a dedicated heart to Christ, he wasn’t known so much for playing with the kids or acting goofy with the grand kids–which is why this memory still floats about in the corridors of my memory.
At ten-years old, I was busy planning a wedding for Barbie and Ken while vacationing at Garden City, SC. (What Barbie doesn’t want to get married at the beach?) My Uncle Randy stood in as the pastor while dad, MaMa, aunts, and uncles lined up to form an aisle for my Barbie bride-to-be.
And the father of the bride? It was PaPa. Yes, he actually walked my Barbie down the aisle.
Priceless.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
The location has changed, but the glaze-filled calories have not.
As a little girl, I would often join my grandparents out for Friday night dinners, and almost always we’d end up here, at Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. They liked to eat in instead of taking it home, and it’s easy to understand why. The coffee was hot and the sea-green 60’s stools were fun to sit on. As long as I could reach my “tart” doughnut that sat atop the matching Formica table, I was good to go.
I realize doughnuts may not have been the healthiest treat, but isn’t that what grandparents are for? I hope so because Brian and I are already coming up with ideas as to where we’ll take our g-babies and you’d best believe Krispy Kreme is on the list!
Now that’s what I call making sweet memories.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
In their book, “Writing Life Stories”, Bill Roorbach and Kristen Keckler, PhD, encourage readers to take a stroll through the corridors of their childhood memories.
I continue to work through the book, but to say it’s been an eye opening experience is an understatement.
In an attempt to document some of my memories, Brian and I recently took the opportunity to visit my hometown, Spartanburg, SC. You’re invited to stroll along with us over the next few days. Perhaps you’ll be encouraged to begin journaling your own childhood memories?
We drove straight past the first house I lived in as a child. It was unrecognizable to me. Although the front door is original, the now dirt-covered driveway was once a cool shade of green filled with sour grass.
Memories created here on Oakleaf Drive include:
- My purple bedroom in the back corner of the house with two corner windows overlooking the backyard.
- The Easter egg I hid in my room…and forgot about until summer.
- Spilling fingernail polish remover on my mom’s once beautiful dresser. My first encounter with grace. (Thanks, Mom.)
- The place where my parents parted ways.
- Wild pink roses sprawled along the back fence (the same type rose now sprawls in my own yard)
- Playing with my first dog, Tracks, in the backyard.
- My favorite “secret” place, located in a small area tucked between our house, a low retaining wall, and the neighbor’s shrubbery. Occasionally the neighbor’s wife would poke her head out the side door to say hello, but more often than not she allowed the little girl to play alone with her imagination.
- Splashing in the basement water. (You mean every child didn’t have their own “pool” in the basement?)
- Our single, lonely, and very quiet neighbor across the street who came home from lunch one day and committed suicide. Little did she know that her choice would linger in my corridors for forty years.
What childhood memories rattle within your corridors?
I encourage you to join in the journey.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Flea market finds from a few weeks ago… antique wire baskets with weathered leather and wood-worn handles. All for 2.00.
A favorite verse comes to mind
as I plant lovely flowers
in my flea market find…
“God has made everything beautiful in its time.” Eccl. 3:11
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
This became especially evident to me while putting the finishing touches on my first submission for the Chicken Soup series. Why?
- During today’s Upstate Fellowship of Christian Writer’s group, I received beneficial feedback that moved me one step closer to the “submit” button.
- Prior to today’s larger group meeting, my “Four Corners” group had already critiqued it… at least twice.
- After today’s meeting, two of my Corners critiqued it again and one called to share a new title idea that was spot on.
Regardless if Chicken Soup accepts my submission or not, I’m blessed simply because of the phenomenal people God has placed around me. As a result…
I hit the “submit” button!
Do you have a group cheering you on? If not, have you considered starting one? There’s no better way to be encouraged than to become an encourager ourselves.
-photo courtesy of writeforyourlife.net
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
I recall the night clearly.
Brian and I were driving home from our oldest son’s first CD release party. The Holy Spirit’s mark on Brandon’s life was obvious to us as we watched him lead a group of people in prayer and worship. It was evident because he is much like me in that he’s always been a bit of an introvert, so to see him not only sing, but to also lead, worship, and take others with him? It was a special moment.
Brandon has been in the studio working on a full-length CD for several months, which will come out this Fall. For those who are new to his music, he released his NEW EP just last night and it can be downloaded here.
Yes, I’m a proud—and a very thankful—Mom.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17
