Slowing Down The Pace in Boonville, Missouri...

 

 

I immediately got the sense of the somewhat slower pace as soon as I pulled into town yesterday.  As I kept driving towards the Missouri River and came into the downtown area of Boonville I was greeted with all its charm.  Here is a quick tip for you: as you drive into downtown you need to roll down your windows because the scent of baking bread permeates the whole area from the Butternut Bread factory. How can you not fall in love with a town when you smell baking bread?

Our writing retreat was held at the Hotel Frederick.  It's up on hill on the river front (sort of) and on a delightful street lined with beautiful homes.  Some of these homes are magnificent and I can only imagine what it was like back when these homes were built and river traffic was heavy.  I snuck away from the retreat this morning to walk around town, chat with the locals and take some photos.  I learned that this town, only 20 miles from where I live, has a rich history.

Daniel Boone's sons, Nathan and Daniel Morgan came to the area and discovered a salt lick in the 1800's.  They recognized the value of salt to pioneers and settled here.  The town was formally platted in 1817 and it was a busy town of river trade and as a jumping off point of the Santa Fe Trail.  There are over 400 historic properties in Boonville and although I only saw a fraction of those properties, it is evident that Boonville is proud of it's history and works to preserve it.

A unique feature of this town is all the buildings with historic signage painted on the brick.  I found myself looking at all of the buildings with a different eye and walking around the sides and backs of the buildings to find what was painted on them.

Before I made my way back to the hotel, I stopped off at a little garden on High Street.  Despite the drought and the high temperatures we've been having this summer, the flowers looked beautiful.  The gentleman who was taking care of the flowers chatted with me for a bit and told me some places to go in town.  He wanted to make sure I got a photo of the engraving in the sidewalk leading up to the park...good advice I'd say...

In a bit I'll be heading back home to laundry and a houseful of boys and I'm looking forward to seeing them...the boys...not the laundry.  The pace of this old river town is appealing to me and I know when I need to get away, even for a few hours, this will be one of my stops.  There is no shortage of photo opportunities, the folks are friendly and the food is good.  I'll be back...

--jackie

A Perfect Summer Day To A Little Boy...

The Arrival...

I imagine she woke up as like she was sleeping.  When she opened her eyes he was standing there with outstretched hand.  Grandpa.  He was dressed in a sport coat, tie and slacks...his Sunday best.  He wanted to look nice when she arrived.  I can see his smile, he had been waiting a year for her.  When Grandma realizes she is really seeing him, she smiles and her eyes glisten.  She says, "Oh, Jim".  As Grandma took his hand, she got up and walked toward him and they embraced.  A long and warm embrace of homecoming.  Grandpa said, "Nyla, you look beautiful.  You always look beautiful in pink".   Grandma was starting to take in her surroundings and she realized...no wheelchair...no MS...and she was with Grandpa again.  Joy enveloped her like the warmth of the sun.  

Grandpa says to her, "It's time to go, Nyla".  She turns to look behind her toward all of us.  She is hesitant to leave us, but she can't help the smile on her face and the joy she feels at seeing Grandpa again.  He leads her down a long path, like an outdoor wedding with beautiful flowers everywhere.  Arm in arm they walk down the path toward a beautiful Sunrise...toward the One who gave her life...who gave us All life.  She hesitates again and turns, she loves us all so much.  She looks at us with a smile...her girls...her grand-kids and great grandkids...especially the little ones she loved to hold in her lap.  Grandpa says, "You'll see them again...I promise". 

I imagine along the way they see so many loved ones like Mokey Livermore and Mokey West.  They all greet Grandma in hugs and tears of joy.  They see Floyd and Virginia Dieker, Uncle Barney and Grandma's Dad...who she hasn't seen for so very long.  They all walk together with Grandma and Grandpa who are still arm in arm.  They walk toward that Sunrise.  Toward Him.  Grandpa whispers to Grandma, "He has much to tell you and he wants to Thank You.  You gave so much of yourself and expected so very little in return.   You lived just as He wanted and He is proud of you."  Grandpa turns to her and whispers again, "God promised a place for you and now He wants to show you."  

Grandma hugged Grandpas arm a little tighter and they walked together...toward that sunrise...toward Him...together again.

 Nyla West - My Beloved Grandma 

July 8, 1924 - June 30, 2012

I love you Grandma.  I hope to live my life so that I will get to walk down the path toward that sunrise and see you there waiting for me too.  Enjoy your reunion! 

--Love, Jackie