Wordless Wednesday ~ Beautiful Sunrise at Myrtle

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)

Tombstone Tuesday ~

In Search of Uncle John Henry and Aunt Nora ~

I went again, to visit the final resting place of Uncle John Henry and Nora Arwood.

I have wanted to see it once again, for such a long time. I feel I have gotten to know the man through my searching and also through the stories that family has relayed to me.

Reading what the "Sage of Pigeon Roost" has written about John Henry and his life, has opened my eyes to the way that circuit ministers must have lived their lives during those early years .

It was not an easy life, but one that was well rewarded.

Arwood family are also buried there, alongside of John and Nora.

Son Robert Henry, and his wife Vertie Ann. Robert was a twin to Henry Robert.



Robert Henry and Vertie's son, Dallas and his wife, Alice.
Three generations of Arwoods are resting here in this small country cemetery.

Harvey Miller, himself a nephew of Aunt Nora, knew well how important saving memories is. And for his many wonderful writings, in the Pigeon Roost news, I am very grateful.

I entered that cemetery the same way I enter most cemeteries these days, with tears welling up in my eyes. I just can't seem to help it, I get so very emotional with each "meeting" of our long lost family. This search has become so important to me.

The setting of Sinking Creek is ideallic for a cemetery. There are distant mountains and colorful trees all around. The ride up to the scene is so picturesque. Anticipation was building as we made our way in to where the cemetery is located.

Along the main highway, alongside of Sinking Creek, we pulled over to take pictures.

I stood admiring a home overlooking the creek, through the trees, with a large "A" framed foyer with large glass panes, and as I moved in closer for a look, something rolled underneath my foot. I looked down in amazement and saw a buckeye lying there.

This elusive nut was the first thing my Dad sought out when we went up to Pigeon Roost. We searched the trees near the old cement factory but could not locate any buckeyes. Finding this buckeye was very exciting for me, I smiled and said, "Thanks, Dad".

He was right there beside me in spirit, I felt for sure.

I am sure that John Henry chose this setting because Nora wanted to be buried here. Her parents are right behind their graves. There are also other Barnett family members buried here. I felt right at home, among our family.

A buckeye tree is watching over them all. Grin.

Old St. Paul's ~ Revisited

We took advantage of a beautiful October afternoon and revisted Old St. Paul's Lutheran.

Views of the church's interior.

Worship Services are held every Sunday in the month of October.

This is a shot of the balcony pews. Visible on the right hand side, back pew, are stains from apparent hard scrubbing and possible sanding, making it appear a lighter color than the rest of the wood.

Could this have been an attempt to remove the blood stains left by the murder of the slave?

One can only wonder....

*******

Feather On My Foot Path ~

On our recent search for family, I came to a beautiful setting, nestled in the colorful hills where some of our family, now rests. A quiet hillside cemetery ablaze with the colors of fall.

There was a slight chill in the morning air, as a mist hung heavy on the mountain.

The air had a certain quiet stillness to it as I approached the gate to this country cemetery. This trip was long awaited, I was so excited to finally be there. I reached down and unlatched the gate and stepped inside. Quiet and still air, all around us.

As I came to the first headstone and read aloud the name, I noticed something in the grass at my feet.

The leaves of many colors were strewn about on the green grass and something out of the ordinary caught my eye.

A feather.

Many cultures have long taken the assumption that a feather on your footpath has a deeper meaning.

Some say that it is message from the divine, other say it is simply a feather, lost in flight.

I like to think that it is a subtle message from those that care about me, that are now gone. A simple token sent down, to let me know that they are thinking about me. They are never quite gone from me.

A light angel feather, floated and swirled down from heaven, lost from a wing.

I bent to pick it up and smiled big. Tears coming now, for sure. My Dad, no doubt had sent this one. He was with me in spirit and I could almost feel him there beside me.

I had so wanted him to go to see this place with me, we had planned on it, and now, I feel certain he was at least watching down on me. It was almost like a mini hug to my heart.

That feather came back home with me and will stay with me, a treasured reminder.

Be on the look out for "angel" feathers, along your path, too. Angels are all around us.
What a comforting thought!