The Great Smoky Mountains got their name from the smoke-like fog that hangs over the range after a rainfall. Today was no different. The peaks were completely shrouded by plumes of misty clouds. In the valley below, a young man drove through the cemetery, looking for a particular grave in a sea of stones. He put his van in park and kissed his wife. This was a journey he had to take alone. He rustled the hair of his sons and stepped out into the humid evening. A violent thunderstorm had rolled through the valley a hour ago, leaving the air thick and the grass wet. His foot sunk in the mud as he took his first steps towards the grave. His destination was 30 yards give or take a few steps.
When he arrived at the headstone, he laid the flowers down at the foot of the grave. He then ran his fingers across the name. The name of his grandfather.
He kneeled down and felt the water soak through his pant leg. He closed his eyes and began to speak.
“I didn’t listen to you. I was arrogant. And I thought I knew more than you. I saw how the Great Depression changed you. After you survived it, you forever lived beneath your means. You believed in charity but you also believed in hard work. You never complained. You just did. And then you gave. I betrayed all that. I was slothful. I took. I was reckless with my money. I only thought of myself. Today and forever more, I pray your spirit will guide me. That I can live by your example. By your strong example of faith. Your principles are as timeless as the mountains behind me. Please. Please.”
He stood up and said one more time, “Please.”
Thunder rumbled gently from the direction of the mountains. Fingers of light broke through the clouds and illuminated the graveyard. Light shined off the polished marble stones as the man with the wet knee walked slowly back to his family. The Great Recession had changed another man for the better. And somewhere his grandfather smiled.
After finishing “The Fall of the House of Zeus,” I no longer yearn for mega bucks, just enough for my family and to help others. I really don’t want to have my own airplane, yacht or some of the other entrapments. I liked the quote in the book that says money is like seawater. The more you drink, the thirstier you become.
I fear tomorrow may bring many bended knees.
I hiked for years in the Smokies with my Uncle Wiley. Most of this hiking was done on Dudley where he was born. We sat on top of the mountain eating our lunch of sausage and biscuit and a tart green leaf he had pulled from the side of the trail. I made the statement that it seemed I felt closer to God on top of the mountain than I had ever felt in a church. He replied, “Well Bobbie, that’s where the Man went when He went to pray.” Isn’t that a wonderful thought?!
Yes it is and a feeling I’ve had many times hiking in the park.
Since my car gave me the finger today, I foresee rice & beans in my future.
Wow, how poignant. Do you have a podcast of your radio show?
I don’t. But you can listen to it online from 3 ’til 6 Central at supertalk.fm
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Faith and prayer go hand in hand. Our Lord and Father teach us to want to be rich in faith, then other good things will follow.
Thank you for sharing this.
You gave me chills and brought tears to my eyes once again.
Beautiful!
Some of us who live there take it for granted. Fortunately, in my job I drive throughout the foothills and see everything from Hartford to Fontana and small towns like Townsend, Cosby, Bryson City and Robbinsville.
There is no better view in the Smokies, than the view from Carver’s Apple Orchard in October. However, you get spiritual experiences at Mt LeConte at sunrise and sunset, Charley’s Bunyon, Mt Guyout, Spence Field and even outside the park in the nearby forests at Max Patch, Chilhowee Lake, and Cherohala Skyway.
I am also fortunate to have two grandfathers from somewhat different economic backgrounds who took an interest in my brother and me and taught us both lessons.
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Marshall, you are an amazing writer, with the ability to touch your reader in a meaningful way in very few words. Your words are well chosen and place the reader right where you want him, with you in the most touching situations. You bear the soul of a good man to us through your writing which puts us right there your ‘moment’. I pray now that your grandfather’s spirit does guide you.