The older I get the more I treasure my family, those near and those far.
The older I get the more my heart yearns to return to where the air is crisp and the land is rolling.
My Mammow’s sister passed away last week. I had the privilege of attending her funeral in Crystal Springs, MS Tuesday morning. My dad drove through Monday afternoon and picked me up so I could attend.
We stayed with his brother, my Uncle Steve and his wife, Montez. It was my first visit to their gorgeous, antique filled home. . . . It was breathtaking.
I have missed out on many years with many of my family; and while my heart aches over missed time, my heart is also overwhelmed with what is yet to come and making sure my children know as many of their family members as I can introduce them to and the history of who we are and where we come from. Time is precious and something one can never get back.
Montez has always been an antique person . . . . I don’t even know what you call that . . . an antique dealer?? Anyway, you get the point. I didn’t even know she had her own shop until recently. While we didn’t have time for me to go in her shop, I did get to take some pictures of the outside.
Here are a few more pictures along the way . . . . OK, a LOT of pictures along the way!
Tree Tunnel!
This is one of the steel bridges we went on.
Took several pictures as we approached.
It’s blurry but it says “Pearl River.”
It’s hard to see, but if you can zoom in between the first two beams, you will see a tree processing plant!
As soon as I got out of the car at the church, the train guards came down and this monstrous train came rolling by! Took several pictures for Christopher. He would have LOVED to be that close . . . . well, minus the noise.
First Baptist Church of Crystal Springs
(this is where Peggy’s funeral service was)
When I saw this house, I thought, “I could so live here . . . .”
Sonny (pictured on left) is my grandmother’s only brother.
Pictured from far left to right:
Montez, Uncle Steve, Georgia (Sonny’s wife), Sonny, and Mike
Uncle Steve and Montez
(Thanks for the birdhouse Montez! LOVE IT!!)
Saying goodbye is so hard . . . . .
Brothers . . . .
Uncle Steve and Dad
Marsha is centered in the middle. Marsha watched after my grandmother for months and months and months . . . . she did for her what I couldn’t do from far away. I will always treasure what she did for my Mammow and Pappow. Just can’t thank her enough.
There is not a day that goes by that I don’t miss them . . . .
The following pictures are of the house my dad was born in!
We spent the night at my Uncle Steve’s and Montez’s house. I am disappointed my pictures didn’t turn out, but a few did . . . . . .
Birdhouses :)
When we drove over the top of this hill heading towards my aunts and uncles house, I think I had a cow. No lie. The sun was setting and it was one of the most breathtaking scenes I have ever witnessed. On our way out the next morning, dad opened his sun roof so I could stick my arm out and get a few shots. This is when I wish I had one of those super zoom cameras to zoom in down the road . . . I imagine this road is full of brilliant colors come fall.
My flash didn’t go off on this picture and the other ones that it did go off are so blurry you can’t tell what it is. My cousin “Little Stevie” renovated this little house. It was the house is momma (Montez) was born in. Little Stevie has been blessed by God with many talents. He has always had a fascination of old vehicles. He restores them by the hundreds. Again, it was dark when we got there, but the following are a few pics I was able to get.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST!! LOL! Any time dad comes through, I try to get pics of the kids with him. My sister also met up with us and I was able to take these great pictures as well.
The older I get the more my heart yearns to return to where the air is crisp and the land is rolling.
My Mammow’s sister passed away last week. I had the privilege of attending her funeral in Crystal Springs, MS Tuesday morning. My dad drove through Monday afternoon and picked me up so I could attend.
We stayed with his brother, my Uncle Steve and his wife, Montez. It was my first visit to their gorgeous, antique filled home. . . . It was breathtaking.
I have missed out on many years with many of my family; and while my heart aches over missed time, my heart is also overwhelmed with what is yet to come and making sure my children know as many of their family members as I can introduce them to and the history of who we are and where we come from. Time is precious and something one can never get back.
Montez has always been an antique person . . . . I don’t even know what you call that . . . an antique dealer?? Anyway, you get the point. I didn’t even know she had her own shop until recently. While we didn’t have time for me to go in her shop, I did get to take some pictures of the outside.
This is my dad on the left and Uncle Steve
on the right in front of Montez’s shop.
on the right in front of Montez’s shop.
We stopped because Montez wanted me to have something . . . .
this AMAZING bird house!!!
I love bird houses! Heck, I LOVE birds! What a blessing! I was so surprised I thought I was gonna pee my pants ya’ll! This thing is HUGE too! This picture just does not do it justice. When I figure out where I am going to put it, I will take another picture. What a blessing!
Anybody that knows me knows I have a passion for taking pictures. Being able to seize that special moment in time and have it forever . . . .
While I don’t have a good camera, I still take pictures just about everywhere I go . . . including driving down the interstate while riding with dad to Raleigh! While most of these pictures are blurry, you should be able to get the gist of them.
This picture was taken in Mize, Ms. I wanted to get a picture of the building. Being the itty bitty town it was (one stop light . . . no kidding!) dad backed up for me to take a shot.
If you will look closely at the door . . . .
You will see that it is the Police Department for Mize, MS!
The Mize Police Department also shares it’s building with the water department!
I think I laughed about that the rest of the way! In the reflection of the window you can see the town patrol car :)
You know you have reached the country when the gas stations have bales of hay for sale in between their gas pumps! Instead of having candy at the check out registers they have vegetable seeds!
Tree Tunnel!
This is one of the steel bridges we went on.
Took several pictures as we approached.
And this is the second one . . .
It’s blurry but it says “Pearl River.”
It’s hard to see, but if you can zoom in between the first two beams, you will see a tree processing plant!
“Welcome to Crystal Springs!”
I tried to zoom in to the mirror to see what it says but couldn’t quite make it out!
As soon as I got out of the car at the church, the train guards came down and this monstrous train came rolling by! Took several pictures for Christopher. He would have LOVED to be that close . . . . well, minus the noise.
The grey building to the left is an old train depot; the one in front was an open flea market type thing years and years ago. At one time Crystal Springs was the main supplier of tomatoes for many areas.
First Baptist Church of Crystal Springs
(this is where Peggy’s funeral service was)
This precious “old timer” stopped mowing grass, and place his straw hat over his heart in respects of the family. Brought tears to my eyes and a thankfulness to my heart.
When I saw this house, I thought, “I could so live here . . . .”
These pictures are of some of the family together after the services:
Sonny (pictured on left) is my grandmother’s only brother.
Pictured from far left to right:
Montez, Uncle Steve, Georgia (Sonny’s wife), Sonny, and Mike
Georgia and Sonny
Uncle Steve and Montez
(Thanks for the birdhouse Montez! LOVE IT!!)
Saying goodbye is so hard . . . . .
Brothers . . . .
Uncle Steve and Dad
Marsha is centered in the middle. Marsha watched after my grandmother for months and months and months . . . . she did for her what I couldn’t do from far away. I will always treasure what she did for my Mammow and Pappow. Just can’t thank her enough.
There is not a day that goes by that I don’t miss them . . . .
We spent the night at my Uncle Steve’s and Montez’s house. I am disappointed my pictures didn’t turn out, but a few did . . . . . .
Birdhouses :)
When we drove over the top of this hill heading towards my aunts and uncles house, I think I had a cow. No lie. The sun was setting and it was one of the most breathtaking scenes I have ever witnessed. On our way out the next morning, dad opened his sun roof so I could stick my arm out and get a few shots. This is when I wish I had one of those super zoom cameras to zoom in down the road . . . I imagine this road is full of brilliant colors come fall.
My flash didn’t go off on this picture and the other ones that it did go off are so blurry you can’t tell what it is. My cousin “Little Stevie” renovated this little house. It was the house is momma (Montez) was born in. Little Stevie has been blessed by God with many talents. He has always had a fascination of old vehicles. He restores them by the hundreds. Again, it was dark when we got there, but the following are a few pics I was able to get.
Pictured left to right: Grayson, Christopher, Hudson, Pappow, Kaitlyn, & Hannah!
Kaitlyn adores Hannah!
Michelle with Hudson
Kaitlyn . . . . being, 'Kaitlyn!'
Pappow with my oldest, Kayla Louise!
One final one before Pappow has to head home . . .
I am so thankful my sister and her family have moved back to Pensacola. Oh how I wish I knew then what I know now. Family is so important. I witnesses a beautiful miracle of restoration Monday while in Crystal Springs. Don’t wait until it’s too late to tell that loved one you love them.
I know this was REALLY LONG and I am sorry. In all honesty, this wasn’t even half the pictures. I just really enjoy taking pictures; really enjoy the country and REALLY love my family!
Continuing to Walk in Victory,
Stacey
