A Walk Down Memory Lane

My old hometown looks the same, so many memories still remain. Through all my yesterdays I'm walking down memory lane.

There's the old L&N Depot sitting oh so quiet. I just wish I could see that train coming in sight. And hear the whistle blow  one more time, running those tracks and moving on down the line.

I want to see the old Marble Courthouse, sitting so grand on the square. With that little time clock ticking high in the air.

And the jailhouse behind it, oh no where did it go? A town without a jailhouse, how could a place change so.

I can't believe my eyes where's Lay's Five and Dime, and that old creaking floor, I wanted to walk it one more time.

I'm going to visit the place where I was born, Providence Hospital upon the hill. The Catholic Nuns owned it and I can see them still.

Walking down the hallways with their habits waving so. Gosh, when did Ivie's Funeral Home move there, that's a place I sure don't want to go.

What happened to the little hospital down below where Dr. Whitfield was at? He was my grandma's favorite doctor, if another was mentioned she'd go crazy as a bat.

Even the postoffice has moved, nothing ever stays on track. I wouldn't know where to find it, it'd be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Changes and more changes, what's the town coming to. They don't even have a jewelry store, Davis Jewelry Store is gone too.

And why so many banks, did someone strick it rich? Maybe to many goldmines and Citizens Bank they decided to ditch.

Oh there's a familiar place, Parker's Drugstore is still here. I'll stop in for a soda pop at the little snack bar in the rear.

Maybe I'll see a familiar face and we can reminisce about the past. They might be able to explain to me why nothing ever lasts.

Then I'll shop at those old department stores down the street a little ways. Jableys and Collins and Crains, like I did in the good old days.

I can see those dry goods now, laid out so tidy and neat. And the downstairs toys at Super D , what a Christmas time treat.

And that little shop called Maggie Bells and the beautiful window display. That's where I bought my wedding dress and had my hair done on my wedding day.

But first I'll say hello to Mr. Hembree at Hembree's Store. I want to thank him for the many times I couldn't pay, he gave me credit galore.

Oh my goodness where has he gone, Mr. Hembree's not even there. He was truly a good man with a kind heart to share.

There's that stately Methodist Church standing graceful and tall. It's a landmark to the town and so easy to recall.

Through out history it's presence will always be, in every picture and postcard for everyone to see.

And then I look across the street and no Western Auto do I see. I'll never forget that little red wagon, my son's second Christmas under the tree.

Mauney's Drug beside it must have closed down. I guess one drugstore is all they need to supply the whole town.

And the Chevrolet Place too, I can't think of its name. I always called it the Chevrolet Place because chevrolets was its game.

Oh what a beautiful memorial across the street on the square. All those veterans names placed upon it, it didn't used to be there.

Their families must be so proud to know they can see, how the town honors their loved ones who fought and died with dignity.

I think I'll take in a movie at least the Henn Theater is still around. Maybe Gone With The Wind is still playing, the best movie at the best theater in town.

Well it seems Gone With The Wind is not playing but I'll go in and sit for a spell. To much walking I'm tired and to many changes to dwell.

Maybe I'll wait until dark and run into someone I know. We'll cruise town like we used to and hope time goes by really slow.

Every Friday and Saturday night it was the place to be. With gas twenty cents a gallon, we worked for it tremendously.

Sitting on top of car hoods and the tailgate of trucks. Boys checking out girls, girls checking out boys, hoping to have some luck.

What time we weren't cruising we were over at the football game. Most every Friday night it was much the same.

While the big dogs were playing the little dogs were known, to hang out with their friends and rough house and roam.

We never did get arrested, we were out to have some fun.Kicking up our heels all part of being young.

And when we got hungry over to the Buzy Burger we'd go. It had the best food around and today I miss it so.

Everytime I pass by, I can still catch a smell, of those good old hamburgers and tater tots, man they were swell.

Each year when the fair came to town, we'd get out a half day of school. We rode every ride and walked the fairgrounds out, we really thought it was cool.

Then after a week or so when it finally packed up and closed down, we'd go back and pick up change and dollar bills laying all around.

Today there's a big, beautiful park there with plenty of green grass. Ballfields and Walkways and something for everyone, it sure has class.

I'll never forget the first big grocery store the town ever had. It was called the A&P and oh my did it make me look bad.

The first time those big doors opened on their own, I thought my heart was gonna stop and man I was gone.

This walk down memory lane is stuck in my mind. I know I'm leaving alot out but I'm not leaving it behind.

Like those pretty, little flowers on the corner in town. A beautiful memorial in place of the old Regal Hotel that burned down.

And some changes are for the better they enhance my view. They make a simple hometown girl's memories look brand new.

There's the Hiwassee River still a running on through, with that old train tressel from a bird's eye view.

So many times that old train traveled those tracks, beside Brumby's Textile Mill loaded with big stacks.

And that old mill provided jobs for so many folks so long. It seems so sad today to see it closed down and gone.

Yes there is sadness and a lot of joy in between and this path I've traveled, so many changes I've seen.

But with all the world in turmoil and days like endless nights, I can always go back to my roots and see those hometown lights.

No matter where I go or how far away I may be. My mind's blueprint will forever capture old familiar places and Memory Lane holds the key..


                                              Susie Swanson   2011

Whew..., to say it was long is an under statement and I know a lot of you local folks are saying, She left alot out. Well... I know in my heart I did but my mind is saying I'm tired. So all I can say is stay tuned for chapter two or maybe three..Someday.....Maybe,,.Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the Walk Down Memory Lane... Blessings, Susie