Driving in the wrong direction, like we did, allowed us to have a family recollection time. According to mom the long drive was fun and just what we needed that Saturday. She may have been right considering what the next few miles of road would reveal to us.
Little Nashville has happy memories for us as a young family. Faith Community Church is also brought to my mind along with an exuberant Preacher, John Booker. My memories are a bit fuzzy, but I remember being at Church for Sunday Morning service and then migrating to a hotel at Nashville for the evening service. I am not certain how many times we did this, but I remember it being fun. Since we were spending the night on a Sunday night it must have been during the summer months or we were just young enough maybe it was in the spring or fall time.
My mom and my uncle were the pianists at church. So each time we did this my uncle would bring his keyboard for our congregational singing. My dad was also the choir leader, but I remember John had quite a singing voice himself.
Driving down the road taking in the scenery was very picturesque. As we continued past Nashville a little bit dad mentioned that’s where Anna got married. My cousin and her husband have been happily married for over a decade with two amazing young boys. The morning of their wedding day, I was meant to house-sit while they eloped in that Wedding Chapel and then the reception would be as soon as they came back. It was neat to finally be able to see what we had just passed even all these years later. My parents went only because they drove Grandma one of Anna’s special VIP’s. The night before Anna, her sister and I spent the night doing our nails. It was a special night with the cousins who had always felt like my sisters. Comments were also made as to how cute the 3 of us were, as many people seeing us all together thought we were triplets.
Being able to catch a glimpse of what I had only seen in the ceremony pictures was too quickly gone. It looked very stately or regal for the few seconds I had to eye the right side of the car through the window. Ironically, not too far down the road on the other side of the car was the Brown County State Park. Another cousin of mine got married somewhere in the expanse of this park, my parents went, but I had to work that day. Miranda got married just a few years ago, but again I didn’t know or get to see these different locations for their ceremonies. It was nice to at least see the area where my cousin and 2nd cousin got married.
So the U.S. 46 finally took us into Bloomington where within 5 minutes we stopped at a stoplight. I had to smile while the first thing that stuck out to me was the street sign. The name of the street was Bryan Avenue, my boyfriend’s name. I couldn’t stop smiling and made a note of it but it made my afternoon after seeing where my older and younger cousins got married. It was just fitting to see his name right in front of me.
Okay so this 5 article series came about, because of the craziness between carsickness and not finding a vibe and being lost for a bit. So this was another test was I feeling alright now? The Bloomington road has long been my nemesis while in the back seat. I don’t understand why, but being in the shotgun seat made a big difference and I’m thankful for that. I don’t like putting mom in the backseat only when I know I’m facing impending vomit.
I passed the test and we made it to Bloomfield with no carsickness this time around. On our way out of the town we passed by the Dairy Queen. The owners were my Sunday School teachers for a good while. I remember a Ladies Night where we had gone to O’Charley’s and on the way home, we had a night cap of ice cream thanks to Becky. She has now been gone for several years way too soon, but it apparently was in God’s will. She is a lady who has been missed also for her beautiful voice. She sang for my uncle’s funeral. I have so many memories with each mile it’s sometimes overwhelming.
Within a few seconds from there we passed by the Subway and noticed there was a long line going to the next building going out of town. Dad caught the sign saying it was a mobile truck selling crab and lobster menu of sorts. Which took me to the last time we ate crab, for me and dad it was the first and last time. It was on a trip we took down to Mississippi. Our dining for one night only was on the same floor level as the local gambling joint. This was also the first and last time I will be in a gambling establishment.
Rolling into Linton brought to a stop between the CVS on one side and Arby’s on the other side. Another funny little occurrence was right in front of us. We were behind a car with an Ohio license plate. Earlier that morning we had set out to go to Indy and possibly Ohio and here we felt like we had gone around the world and still ended up finding a piece of Ohio back at home.
Do you ever have mini excursions where you travel your recessed memories coming back to life while on a drive?
I hope my memories within this excursion haven’t been too boring. I sure didn’t imagine on having these 5 articles from one drive!
Jewells of Thought 
Leave a comment